The city’s first green public transport facility went live this week in Wallacedene. An estimated
5 000 commuters are expected to make use of the taxi rank daily, which previously encompassed no more than an empty stretch of land as a pick-up and drop-off point.
The newly constructed taxi rank is fitted with a rooftop photovoltaic panel system to generate its own electricity, and 24 large batteries to store reserve solar power that can be used to power the lights on cloudy days or at night.
Furthermore, underground tanks with a capacity of 20 000 litres will be used to store rainwater so drivers can wash their taxis without wasting potable water.
‘The city is extremely proud to be at the forefront of combining intelligent architectural design and technology in our effort to improve service delivery,’ says Brett Herron, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member responsible for transport. ‘The Wallacedene taxi rank sets the benchmark for future public transport facilities in the country, showcasing the City’s commitment to conservation and innovation.’