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'link is unfair for our taxis'

ROAD MAP: The construction site on the N17 link road. Pic. Vathiswa Ruselo. 07/2008. Sowetan.
ROAD MAP: The construction site on the N17 link road. Pic. Vathiswa Ruselo. 07/2008. Sowetan.

Luzuko Pongoma

Luzuko Pongoma

The construction of the N17 link road between Soccer City and Orlando stadiums is continuing despite threats by the taxi industry to stop it.

The link road - for busses only - is part of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system which aims to be up and running for the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup.

Taxi organisations believe that a road dedicated to busses will put them out of business.

Dobsonville, Roodepoort, Leratong and Johannesburg Taxi Association spokesman Joe Mophuthing said it was strange for the government to continue with the construction of the road despite the taxi industry's dissatisfaction with the project.

"The government is taking positions of player and a referee. This is not fair. How are we supposed to negotiate when the playing field is not level?"

Mophuthing said that the BRT did not allow space for competition.

"What is going to happen after the six weeks of the soccer World Cup? They want to run us out of business."

Mophuthing said they would take to the streets if the government "continues with the biased negotiations".

City of Johannesburg chief communications director Gabu Tugwana said they were negotiating with all parties involved in the taxi industry through a steering committee that has been set up. The issue of the effects of the BRT was being addressed, he said.

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