B97 route will remain closed
The Western Cape Mobility Department confirmed that the B97 route from Mbekweni, Paarl, to Bellville will remain closed until further notice starting from Monday 26 September 2022, despite an agreement reached between leaders of CATA, and CODETA aligned route associations
The taxi route was closed in July 2021, due to
taxi violence between the local Paarl Alliance Taxi Association (PATA), which
is affiliated to CODETA, and CATA Boland.
MEC Daylin Mitchell said the reason for the
extended closure is due to a regulatory process that still needs to be
finalised.
“Several peace talks and difficult discussions
took place over the past year and a landmark agreement has recently been
brokered on the sharing of the contentious Route B97. The memorandum of
agreement sets out how the allotted operating licences will be divided and how
the respective parties will operate on the route.”
“In terms of the agreement, operating licences
will be apportioned on an equal basis (50/50) between the two associations
commensurate to the demand for services as shown in the transportation plans
for the area. Both associations have committed to stop recruiting new members
in excess of passenger demand and to desist from allowing illegal operators to
trade on route B97.
There are several administrative and legislative
procedures that must be followed for the regis tration of new members and the
issuing of operating licences to affiliated members. The process to issue
operating licences is prescribed by law and applications must be published for
public comment. The route will remain closed until the regulatory process has
been finalised.”
Mitchell said Golden Arrow bus trips will
remain in operation between Bellville and Paarl to transport commuters. The MEC
remains hopeful that the reopening of the B97 route is soon.
“Extending the closure of these routes and
ranks will help to maintain the relative stability that was restored to the
public transport environment in the affected areas and support the process of
finding lasting peace.”
Done By: Mitchum George
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