Expanding and improving public transport, carpooling, flexible working arrangements, passenger rail, buses and 25-seater taxis are some of the proposed solutions to the chronic traffic congestion in Cape Town.
Provincial mobility MEC Isaac Sileku put the issue high on the agenda when he launched Mobility Month on Wednesday with a panel discussion aimed at finding and implementing solutions to easing congestion.
Cape Town is ranked as the ninth most congested city in the world, according to the 2024 INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard.
“Congestion is not only an inconvenience, it has a very real impact on livelihoods, businesses, and the environment. Our focus must be on expanding and improving public transport, so that it becomes the preferred choice for commuting,” Sileku said in his keynote address.
“We will work harder to further enable non-motorised transport. We must also manage travel demand by embracing carpooling, flexible working arrangements and smarter use of technology.
“Additionally, the co-existence of the different modes of public transport including rail, buses, minibus taxis and e-hailing is possible and is the only way to manage and lessen traffic congestion”.
When you look at the aspect of health and wellness benefits that come with non-motorised solutions, there’s an opportunity to open a new eco-system, which allows for commercial trade-offs such as discounts on aspects and items to improve your health
— Prof Lester Davids, UCT
Among the transport stakeholders in attendance were:
- the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa);
- Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS);
- the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco); and
- academics.
Panellists noted that 60% of passenger vehicles on the road during peak hours in Cape Town had a single occupant.
Prasa regional manager Raymond Maseko said: “We aim to move 1-million passengers a day as passenger rail needs to be the backbone of public transport while being supported and complemented by the other modes.”
Santaco provincial chairperson Mandla Hermanus said members were being encouraged to acquire higher-capacity vehicles: 23- or 25-seaters.
“There is gradual uptake where some associations have started with the acquisition of these types of vehicles. This method allows for more profitability for fleet owners as even with less vehicles you are carrying more passengers. This also lessens operational costs for their business,” he said.
UCT professor Lester Davids said it would be more effective to solve the congestion problem as a collective of transport stakeholders.
“When you look at the aspect of health and wellness benefits that come with non-motorised solutions, there’s an opportunity to open a new eco-system, which allows for commercial trade-offs such as discounts on aspects and items to improve your health,” he said.
Identified causes of congestion include:
- Rising private car use, with car ownership nearly doubling since 2003;
- Weak and unreliable public transport;
- A high concentration of jobs in a few central areas; and
- Historic spatial planning that left communities far from economic opportunities.
Interventions being implemented include:
- Rail recovery: roll out of new trains, restoring services, security and expanded park-and-ride facilities.
- Golden Arrow carries more than 230,000 passengers daily; expansion of MyCiTi services and the N2 bus lane.
- Minibus taxis transport 75% of commuters, with various initiatives to improve safety and efficiency.
- Non-motorised transport: safe walking and cycling projects.
TimesLIVE
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.