WHEN the new R400-million multi-storey complex was opened for business late last year in Bloemfontein, there was jubilation all-round from stakeholders that included taxi operators, hawkers and commuters. Two months later the rank has become a white elephant.
It remains unused and empty, while commuters are calling on all parties to iron out their differences.
Most of the commuters Sowetan spoke to yesterday blamed Mangaung Metro and Greater Bloemfontein Taxi Association for dragging their feet in resolving the dispute.
Commuter Kenosi Morati, of Rocklands, was dejected at the turn of events.
He said the municipality knew exactly what the problems were even before they opened the rank.
Another commuter, Mosa Monosi, said she was also disappointed.
"The government spent a lot of money on this rank but it turns out that they did not do their homework properly," Monosi said
Taxis started to operate at the new rank in December last year after completion of construction that had started in 2008.
But it only lasted three weeks before operators showed their dissatisfaction and barricaded roads around the rank during a protest over the new facility.
Several structural problems at the rank, such as a narrow pathway and congestion at the exit and entrance, were identified as the main concerns of the operators.
The controversial intermodal facility remains empty while taxi operators and metro officials try to break a deadlock over its suitability for public use.
A spokesman for the Free State roads, police and transport department, Saki Mohono, confirmed the deadlock.
But he remained upbeat that the issues would be resolved.
"We have held a series of meetings with all the parties concerned but reached a deadlock," Mohono said.
He said one of the biggest problems they picked up during the meetings was the building opposite the rank, which causes delays on the entry-exit route.
He said they had offered the owner of the building a substantial amount to vacate the land but he has refused.
GBTA general secretary Oupa Mofokeng said they had reached a stalemate.
"We met with the municipality and other key players in the industry but we couldn't reach an agreement during our meetings."
Mangaung Metro spokesman Qondile Khedama said they were working on resolving the matter.