The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) is planning a twenty-two month construction programme to refurbish the Jack Mincer taxi facility to accommodate the large number of taxis that currently rank and hold in the streets within the Park Station Precinct.

The aim of the project is to influence the movement of taxis to reduce traffic congestion in the area, create a welcoming environment for commuters and help formalise and provide appropriate trading space for informal trade.

It will also remove a large number of taxis that are ranking alongside Joubert Park, thus creating a safer and cleaner environment around the park.

Converting Joubert Park to an interim facility

However to refurbish Jack Mincer, alternative space for ranking and holding of mini bus taxis is required.

To this end the JDA together with the City of Johannesburg’s Transport Department embarked on an extensive exploratory process to find temporary suitable accommodation for the taxis and informal trading in and around the Jack Mincer taxi facility.

One of the options being explored is Joubert Park with the intention to refurbish and revitalise the Park after the temporary relocation of the mini bus taxis.

The agency has approached many private and public property and land owners for space with no success, “Joubert Park is being explored as a last resort” says Thanduxolo Mendrew, Chief Executive Officer of the JDA.

“Our aim is that once the facility has been completed, the JDA would undertake a reconstruction of Joubert Park as an urban park which will retain its status both as a heritage space and the much needed green lung in the City.”

Community concerns

Addressing concerns raised in petitions and in the media Mendrew says no decision in respect of the temporary relocation of the taxis to Joubert Park or any other possible alternatives has been taken as reported.

“The JDA has a proud record of sustainable inner city regeneration including in respect of Parks such as the new Metro Park and the revitalisation of the Ernest Oppenheimer Park.

He further reiterated that this option is currently an internal technical discussion and that should it be a plausible option the JDA would start an intensive consultative participatory process with all relevant stakeholders as well as interested and affected parties which would include but not limited to the taxi industry, commuter bodies, informal trading structures and heritage bodies.

“The JDA together with City of Johannesburg’s Transport department wish to call on inner city stakeholders that can assist us in finding a location where taxis could be relocated to enable us to continue with the extension and redevelopment of the Jack Mincer Taxi Facility” says Mendrew.