The United Progressive People Alliance (UPPA) is calling on the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to urgently intervene and restore the Uitenhage Taxi Rank to a safe, clean and dignified public transport facility.

The current condition of the taxi rank is unacceptable. Residents and commuters are being forced to use a facility that is severely neglected, with inadequate public lighting and a lack of proper ablution facilities.

The absence of adequate lighting is particularly concerning because it creates an environment in which criminal activity can flourish. Commuters, taxi operators and pedestrians should not have to fear for their safety simply because they are using public transport after dark.

Public transport infrastructure is not a luxury. It is a basic municipal responsibility.

UPPA is calling on the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to urgently:

● Install and maintain adequate public lighting throughout the taxi rank and surrounding areas;

● Provide clean, safe and functional ablution facilities;

● Improve general cleanliness, maintenance and waste management;

● Strengthen security measures to combat crime and protect commuters and taxi operators;

● Repair and maintain damaged infrastructure; and

● Establish a proper maintenance programme to ensure that the taxi rank does not once again fall into neglect.

UPPA believes that people who rely on public transport deserve the same dignity, safety and quality of infrastructure as everyone else.

A commuter leaving work in the evening should be able to enter a taxi rank that is properly illuminated, clean and secure. Women, children, elderly residents and people with disabilities should not be placed at unnecessary risk because of municipal neglect.

This is not simply an infrastructure issue. It is a safety issue, a public health issue and a matter of human dignity.

UPPA is making a clear commitment to the people of Uitenhage and Nelson Mandela Bay:

When UPPA is elected into office, we will prioritise the restoration and upgrading of the Uitenhage Taxi Rank.

We will work to ensure that the facility has proper lighting, functional ablution facilities, effective security measures and regular maintenance.

We will not accept a situation where communities are expected to live with broken and neglected public infrastructure while municipal leadership makes excuses.

Our approach to local government is simple:

Let’s build. Let’s fix. Let’s heal.

UPPA will build infrastructure that works, fix the infrastructure that has been neglected, and heal the relationship between residents and a municipality that must once again become responsive to the people it serves.

The people of Uitenhage deserve a taxi rank that reflects their dignity—not one that exposes them to unnecessary danger.

The time for excuses is over. The time to fix Uitenhage is now.

Issued by: United Progressive People Alliance (UPPA) Nelson Mandela Bay

Media Enquiries

Quinton Baatjies

UPPA NMB Mayoral Candidate

073 367 3226