Traders operating around the Teya-Teyaneng (TY) taxi rank expressed readiness to relocate to the newly constructed facility, saying the centralization of taxi operations could improve business.

The traders were interviewed by the agency following an inspection of the new taxi rank by The Right Honourable the Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane.

A small supermarket owner, Mr Tlotliso Hlaoli, said traders are yet to receive information on how their businesses will operate at the new rank, despite being invited to meetings whenever matters affecting them arise.

He said they are ready to move to the new taxi rank within the next two months but are waiting for clarity on how the trading arrangements will work and whether they will continue operating as they currently do at their individual stalls.

Mr Hlaoli said one of their major challenges has been being removed from the places where they previously operated, which negatively affected their businesses.

He said traders had to start their businesses from scratch because vehicles were operating from different locations, while their businesses heavily depended on passenger traffic.

Mr Hlaoli expressed optimism that the new taxi rank will improve their businesses by bringing passengers and taxis together in one place.

Meanwhile, another trader, Mr Thabo Rantjana, who has operated a business at the taxi rank for 21 years, said he is also ready to move to the new facility, although he is concerned that rental fees could be high depending on the size and quality of the new premises.

He said having all taxis operating from one location would enable traders to attract more customers and increase their income.

Mr Rantjana said business had declined during the construction of the new taxi rank, which posed a major challenge for traders.

He said he is impressed by the appearance of the new facility, adding that it would also help reduce the disorder experienced at the old rank, particularly during rainy weather when mud made the area difficult to operate in.

“The challenge at the new taxi rank will be that we have to start our businesses from scratch, and it will be difficult for our customers to find us, but we believe business will be better than where we are currently operating,” Mr Rantjana said.

The new Teya-Teyaneng taxi rank is expected to bring taxis and traders together in one place. The rank is expected to start operating within the next two months.