Comment on revised proposals for managing travel demand
15 October 2025
The City’s Urban Mobility Directorate is busy revising its Travel Demand Management Strategy (TDMS) and residents, stakeholders and interested parties are encouraged to read the draft document and submit comments by 13 November 2025.
Travel demand management is a collection of programmes, techniques and policies aimed at influencing the travel choices people make – from the mode (private, public, walking and cycling) to the time of travelling (during or outside of the peak periods); as well as the use of existing and new transport capacity and related infrastructure to promote sustainable travel choices.
‘The City’s TDM strategy has three broad goals, namely to encourage people to avoid travelling in their private vehicles and to shift to public transport services especially during peak periods; to walk or cycle where possible and practical; and to reduce the need for travelling by working remotely. Thus, over time, we want to make public transport the mode of choice and reduce people’s reliance on private vehicles. In the end, the strategy needs to inform long-lasting behaviour changes in how, when and why people commute. This is also in line with our commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing reliance on private vehicles and promoting low-carbon transport alternatives will contribute to the City’s climate change mitigation goals,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.
The City has recorded notable changes in travel demand and the number and nature of trips people made during and after Covid-19. Many people adapted by working from home during the pandemic and although this has not always resulted in long-term changes in traffic volumes, some people still travel outside of the peak periods and many business meetings are still taking place online, thanks to technological advances.
The implosion of passenger rail though, has led to an increase in road-based transport and traffic congestion since 2013. However, the service is gradually improving on certain lines and it is anticipated that more people will opt for trains as it becomes more reliable and punctual. Another challenge is Cape Town’s spatial form that is also contributing to congestion as the majority of commuters live in the metro-south east and travel long distances; and personal security also impacts the choices commuters make.
The draft strategy also elaborates on the impact of ‘induced demand’.
‘Induced demand is a phenomenon where building more road capacity leads to more congestion as it encourages the use of private vehicles. Thus, providing more efficient and alternative means of travel is critical in managing demand and the needs of our growing population. Also, our investment in transport infrastructure must be to the sole benefit of public transport services so that we can improve efficiencies and make it more attractive for commuters,’ said Councillor Quintas.
The revised strategy proposes voluntary, institutional, and regulatory measures, as well as infrastructure improvements that prioritise public transport, and pricing to effect behaviour change over the long-term, such as:
• Promoting public transport by improving reliability, affordability, and integration between different modes
• Promoting higher occupancy of vehicles through lift-clubs initiatives
• Promoting implementation of transit-oriented development to create higher densities and mixed-use nodes close to public transport interchanges and along main transport routes
• Encouraging walking and cycling by providing safe and inclusive infrastructure, including investment in pedestrian zones, cycle lanes, and improved street connectivity
• Encouraging employers to promote digitalisation to reduce the need to travel for work and promoting flexible working programmes
• Increasing road capacity, but reserve these improvements for public transport services; improve park-and-ride facilities
• Using parking management – thus, the supply and pricing of parking – to encourage a shift from private vehicle use
Once the revisions to the TDMS have been approved, the Urban Mobility Directorate will develop a detailed implementation plan with more information about the phasing of the strategy, the resources needed, monitoring and evaluation, and timelines.
How to comment:
• Send an email to UrbanMobility.CT@capetown.gov.za (quote reference 110252603)
• Online, at www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay or www.capetown.gov.za/collaborate
• Submit written comments at your local subcouncil or City library
The draft revised TDMS is available on the City’s haveyoursay-page, and at subcouncils and City libraries.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
