Morning traffic in Sandton is a constant nightmare
SANDTON - Concerned motorist John Dixon is sick and tired of the heavy traffic congestion in Sandton.
“Traffic in Sandton is a nightmare,” he said. “This problem is exacerbated by the fact that the authorities do not monitor and police illegal parking or drivers. This disregard for the bylaws make this matter in Sandton a lot worse.”
Dixon was referring to the chaos on West Street in Sandton, just outside the Gautrain Station.
He explained, “Outside the Sandton Gautrain Station, cars are illegally parking on West Street between 7.30am and 8.30am, making West Street a one lane road instead of two lanes.”
Dixon is confused as to why drivers do not use the demarcated area assigned for picking up passengers on West Street. “If these culprits would only drive into the station and use this assigned drop off zone, there would be no obstruction to traffic and it would minimise the congestion,” he added.
Other concerned motorists have complained that meter taxis are the main culprits that cause traffic congestion on West Street.
Dixon said, “This is absolutely unacceptable that they stop and park illegally in a non-stopping zone to pick up passengers and therefore obstruct traffic.”
Ward 103 councillor Vincent Earp, said he had spoken to the Metro police a number of times about the issue of meter taxis parking illegally in drop-off zones.
Wayne Minnaar, Metro police spokesperson, said the issue was not something the Metro police could handle. However, he said the Gauteng Department of Transport would have to deal with the issue.
No comment was received from the Gauteng Department of Transport by time of publication.
Tell us on our Facebook page if you have also experienced any traffic trouble on West Street, Sandton, in the morning.
I drive ferndale to sandton cbd (Stella Road) daily. I cannot concur enough on this issue with not just citizens abusing the quick drop off on the road, to metered taxis, tuktuks and the pain of the normal taxis. This issue is getting out of control. Metered taxis consume Stella St, impacting the lanes themselves, they need to be removed. Tuktuks are an absolute un-predictable menace, they are as bad as the normal taxis, one nearly got slammed today for just stopping in the fast lane just before the station.
It is now official, traffic will get worse. Construction at the corner of West and Rivonia (opp the station) is now underway.