To celebrate World Bicycle Day, Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Daylin Mitchell, will tomorrow, Friday 3 June 2022, join Open Streets on a 7km social bicycle ride in Cape Town.
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In terms of Section 91(2) of the National Land Transport Act of 2009, I officially announce my decision to close Route B97 between Mbekweni/Paarl and Bellville. This will be effective from Monday, 26 July 2021.
My decision follows the publication of my notice in the Government Gazelle dated 9 July (Government Notice 416 of 2021) that Bellville and Paarl are areas in respect of which extraordinary measures in terms of Section 91 may be made. I have carefully considered all submissions in this respect, and after consultation with the SAPS, the Premier, and the National Minister of Transport, believe this to be the correct course of action.
Route 97 is currently the main cause of conflict between CATA and CODETA, who both claim to have the right to operate on the route. Despite ongoing attempts to assist the two associations to find a lasting solution, they have yet to do so.
Therefore, as of Monday 26 July, the following will apply on the route:
We can longer be held hostage by a criminal few who continue to undermine the interests of many law-abiding taxi drivers, and who threaten both the lives and livelihoods of our residents. I have sworn an oath to act in the best interests of our people, and will continue to do so, using every mechanism available to me.
The Western Cape Government will continue to work with the SAPS, and other security stakeholders, including the SANDF, Metro Police and traffic officers to ensure that commuters are protected.
Premier Alan Winde and Minister Mbalula have now both requested additional SANDF support for the SAPS, which has already drastically scaled up their presence in hotspots.
As a result of these efforts, we have seen no further incidents of taxi related violence, and Golden Arrow Bus Services are, as of this morning, operating 95% of its more than 1000 strong fleet.
I want to be clear that the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works will continue to offer the venue and the independent mediators necessary to assist these two associations in finding a resolution, and we join fellow citizens in urging these associations to put the best interests of our communities first.
I will also make an announcement over the weekend about travel arrangements for commuters in the affected route.
To celebrate World Bicycle Day, Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Daylin Mitchell, will tomorrow, Friday 3 June 2022, join Open Streets on a 7km social bicycle ride in Cape Town.
The B97 minibus taxi route between Mbekweni in Paarl and Bellville will be closed for a further four months starting from today, Thursday 26 May 2022.
The Minister of Mobility, Daylin Mitchell, yesterday met with leaders of the Western Cape taxi industry in an effort to find solutions that will lead to the reopening of the closed Route B97.
Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 273 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check point and speed control operations across the province in the week of 9 to 15 May 2022, and 33 29