By Cheri-Ann James

A Buffalo City committee on Thursday approved a lease application that would ultimately see the Gillwell Street taxi rank, opposite opposite Chunky Charlie in East London, being upgraded.

Isibonelo Property Services, with the support of East London taxi associations, submitted an application about three years ago to lease two portions of land being used as a taxi rank. The company also submitted a proposal for upgrading the rank.

According to a report tabled at the development planning standing committee meeting, the municipality requested a detailed traffic impact assessment and a layout plan designed by a specialist.

The documents were submitted, but this year the Buffalo City Municipality Metropolitan Advisory Board identified the taxi rank as a key site for the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS).

Development planning director Craig Sam, however, recommended that the committee approve the 40-year lease.

The municipality would not relinquish full control of the rank as it would be a suitable terminal when the BRTS is implemented, he said.

A number of containers on the site will be removed .

Source: Daily Dispatch