Charles Tjatindi
28 April 2008
Swakopmund — Minibus commuters using the Mondesa Taxi Rank in Swakopmund are dissatisfied with the current state of facilities at the rank.
In separate interviews with New Era commuters, many of whom travel frequently between Swakopmund and Windhoek, expressed concern over the absence of adequate facilities at the multi-million-dollar terminal.
Top on their list is insufficient lighting. The terminal is virtually plunged into darkness when the sun sets. This situation, they say, impacts heavily on their safety as they simply get dropped there at night and have to find their own means to get home.
"Minibus drivers are often rude and always say the taxi rank is the only place they are instructed to off-load people. It does not make sense as this taxi rank is currently as good as another dark street corner. It is just unsafe," said 35-year-old Katrina Swartbooi.
Swartbooi noted that local taxis are often difficult to get at night, as they would have retired. In most cases, she said, commuters are obliged to walk home in complete darkness.
Silas Kamati, another commuter who also frequently uses the terminus is of the opinion that proper planning was not done before opening the facility for business.
"I think they were not prepared. I think they just rushed the whole thing. How can you call this place a quality investment in its current state? Someone, somewhere let us, the commuters, down," he noted.
The 10000 sq metre terminal currently boasts spacious interlocked driveways, toilets and sitting facilities under shade where commuters await transport. Although most of these amenities at the terminus confirm its status as a modern facility, critics have raised concern that it might soon turn into a white elephant. They said work on the terminus has been dragging on since the local council proclaimed it ready for business before it was complete last year.
Local businessman and taxi rank manager, Juuso Kambueshe, earlier confirmed that the place has fallen flat and short of its business objectives.
According to Kambueshe, he had to occasionally inject his own cash into the place to get it going. Kambueshe noted that due to insufficient facilities available at the taxi rank, it is not being utilised to its full potential. He, however, remains confident that business would peak once all facilities are up and running at the terminal.
"This is a modern development that just needs to be supported and planned properly. I am sure that once it is completed, business will start flowing in given its location," he said.
While plans to complete constructions and upgrading of facilities at the terminus continue, commuters feel that their needs should be taken care of.
"What happens to us while we wait for the place to be completed? Do we still get dropped off there at night? That is just not fair on us as we are the ones giving them business, only to be dumped at that dark place at night," fumed Swartbooi.
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