New central taxi rank planned for Sibaya after M27 changes

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26-03-2026
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North Coast Courier
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A consolidated rank will ideally avoid unmanaged drop-offs along the road.

Plans for roadside taxi embayments along the M27 – pull-off bays for taxis to load and offload passengers – have been scrapped after objections from Umdloti residents.

Residents raised concerns about congestion and the visual impact of the embayments at the town’s entrance.

In response, developer Devmco successfully lobbied the transport department to remove the proposed embayments on either side of the M27. Instead, public transport services will be consolidated at a new central taxi rank at Sibaya Node 5. Umdloti Smart Village described the relocation as “a practical alternative” that addresses local concerns while maintaining efficiency.

Following his first site visit and an initial consultation with Devmco earlier this week, Siyabonga Getsemane, chairman of the Greater North Region, which includes 28 taxi associations operating in Umdloti and Durban, said he was happy with the plans. “Our meeting with Devmco went well. I went to view the area in discussion and find it suitable and [large] enough that it could be sub-divided into buses and taxis for the benefit of public transport users,” said Getsemane.

The 8 400m² Node 5 rank will replace three smaller ranks originally planned across Nodes 1, 5 and 6, creating a single holding area for taxis, buses and shuttles. Devmco said the initial location between Nodes 1 and 5 was deemed impractical due to limited access to arterial roads and the potential for increased traffic within the estate.

The revised Node 5 site will have direct access from the widened M27 and operate through a single controlled access point. Managed by the Sibaya precinct association, the facility is intended to ensure orderly vehicle movement, cleanliness and security.

To improve traffic flow, the signalised Heleza Boulevard intersection has been designed with six lanes, including dedicated turning lanes. The developer has also committed to landscaping and screening around the rank to limit its visual impact and prevent unauthorised access.