A stakeholders meeting has taken place at the University of Cape Coast to address concerns and outline plans for transportation within the university community.
This follows various concerns that arose after the recent relocation of the Taxi rank at the Science to a larger and temporary site on School Bus Road.
While taxi drivers had challenges incorporating into the new system thereby parking on roadsides, students found it difficult to adapt to the change.
According to the SRC President, Vincent Kojo Siabi, there was a need for the Directorate of Public Affairs of the University of Cape Coast, the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), local driver unions, security services and the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly to meet to address these concerns.
“So, it was important that as stakeholders we need to find a way out to sensitize our students that this is a new development and also to caution the taxi drivers on the various safety driving measures, including not parking by the roadside to pose stress to the students, but rather operating from the new taxi station,” he said in an interview with ATLFMNEWS on the sidelines of the meeting.
Additionally, he said the meeting was to ensure the management of the University understands the concerns arising after relocation adding that the SRC and the Directorate of Public Affairs are working closely with the taxi unions to ensure that all are informed about these changes.
Mr. Siabi stated that the SRC and management are hopeful the students will adapt to these new changes on campus.
In light of student safety, he called on students to patronize vehicles embossed with the University stickers, expressing hope that vehicle owners will adhere to the regulations on campus and obtain a sticker to operate.
Meanwhile, students are cautioned against patronizing private transportation services on campus to safeguard their safety.
A member of the security services who asked to remain anonymous said “They (students) stand on the road attracting these floating drivers to pick them… Students should not stand on the road to attract floating drivers. This is unsafe, and it is also illegal for private vehicles to be used for commercial purposes.
“In the event of an accident, you will not be compensated if the vehicle is not properly insured and roadworthy,” he continued.
He further cautioned the taxi drivers to stop parking on the roadside to load as it constitutes an offence.
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Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu/ATLFMNEWS
