Cape Town’s long-term public transport vision is taking shape, with the City pushing ahead with a major expansion of its MyCiTi bus service into underserved areas of the metro south-east.
Construction is now underway along Govan Mbeki (Go-van Mbeki) Road in Lansdowne (Lanz-down), where the first dedicated red bus lanes are being rolled out as part of the City’s Phase 2A expansion. The project marks a significant milestone in Cape Town’s efforts to build a more integrated and efficient public transport system.
The MyCiTi service has already established itself as a key component of the city’s transport network, currently handling around 65,000 passenger journeys each weekday and approximately 2.3 million trips per month. With a fleet of over 300 buses, the system connects major economic zones including the central business district, Atlantic Seaboard, and West Coast.
However, large parts of the metro south-east, particularly Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha (Khai-elit-sha), have historically remained underserved by direct and scheduled public transport. Commuters in these areas have often been required to travel via the central city, adding significant time and cost to daily journeys.
The Phase 2A rollout aims to address these gaps by introducing more than 17 kilometres of dedicated bus lanes, alongside the construction of new stations and two additional depots in Khayelitsha to support operations. These lanes are being built using reinforced concrete designed to last up to 50 years, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and ensuring long-term reliability.
A key feature of the project is the Sky Circle in Lansdowne, an elevated transport structure positioned approximately 6.2 metres above ground level. The design allows MyCiTi buses to bypass surface traffic, improving travel times and maintaining consistent service flow through high-congestion areas.
Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, has emphasised that the expansion represents more than infrastructure development, describing it as a shift in how cities approach public transport delivery. He noted that local government is increasingly positioned to manage and implement large-scale transit systems effectively.
The City is also advocating for the devolution of passenger rail to municipal level, arguing that greater control over integrated transport systems will improve efficiency and service delivery across the network.
Looking ahead, the City aims to integrate more than 30 neighbourhoods into the MyCiTi system by the second half of 2027, significantly expanding access to reliable and affordable public transport.
The expansion reflects a broader strategy to reshape mobility in Cape Town, with a focus on reducing travel inequality and improving connectivity between residential areas and economic hubs.
Source: IOL – Weekend Argus Reporter
