Urban Mobility budget keeps Cape Town moving
31 May 2023
COUNCIL SPEECH BY THE MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR URBAN MOBILITY, COUNCILLOR ROB QUINTAS
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob
Quintas today tabled the City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Budget for
2023/2024 to 2025/2026.
Madam Speaker, the Urban Mobility budget for the next financial year, starting 1 July 2023, prioritises keeping Cape Town moving. Maintenance, congestion relief, public transport and smart mobility are the means that we will use to improve the cardiovascular system, the veins and arteries, of the organism that is the ever-growing City of Cape Town.
Speaker, Urban Mobility has allocated a capital budget of approximately R8,3 billion for the next three financial years.
This includes more than R543 million to be spent on traffic congestion alleviation projects alone, which will keep the arteries unclogged, and R553 million for major road reconstruction and rehabilitation, which will see healthier veins.
The lion's share of this capital allocation, however, is a sum of R5,2 billion to expand the MyCiTi bus service to the metro-south east, connecting Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain with the economic hubs of Wynberg and Claremont. A project that has the full backing and faith of the National Government, and which is vital; in stepping into the yawning abyss left by the collapsed passenger rail service managed by the National Government.
This involves the construction of the roads, stations, bus stops, depots, informal trading and economic catalytic spaces as well as other infrastructure needed to get the MyCiTi bus service up and running in these areas. This is one of the biggest undertakings by any metro in South Africa.
Madam Speaker, the MyCiTi bus service and associated public investment will bring much needed urban renewal to many of the locations served. Other road users will also benefit from improvements to public transport interchanges and intersections, non-motorised transport improvements, as well as other general road upgrades to accommodate the MyCiTi bus service.
Beyond this, nearly R57 million is budgeted for a new MyCiTi station in Maitland that will form part of route extensions between Dunoon, Maitland and Century City in coming years.
Madam Speaker, the urgent need for the investment in safe, reliable public transport services could not have been more disturbingly highlighted than by the tragic collision yesterday morning in Mitchells Plain that claimed the lives of multiple children traveling to school. Our thoughts, sorrows and prayers are with the families, friends and communities left behind.
AZ Berman Drive is one of 15 roads earmarked for the construction of non-motorised transport infrastructure in Mitchells Plain – R52 million has been budgeted for this.
Madam Speaker, R51 million has been allocated to roll out similar projects to improve walking and cycling lanes in Khayelitsha over the next three financial years.
Thousands of Capetonians walk to their destinations and we have a responsibility to do all we can to make sure they can do so safely, and that we build an enabling, universally accessible environment for them to do so.
Madam Speaker, the Urban Mobility Directorate also recognizes the massive role played by minibus-taxis in the overall public transport network, and that commuters and operators need to be provided with safe, dignified, and functional facilities.
We have, accordingly, allocated for substantial investment in refurbishing and upgrading Public Transport Interchanges, or PTIs.
Madam Speaker, almost R300 million is budgeted for new and improved Public Transport Facilities in Mfuleni, Nyanga, Vuyani, Nolungile, Nonkqubela Manenberg.
Residents must be able to get to work and school within the shortest possible time, with transport that is reliable, safe, and affordable. This is why we are setting aside billions to create new infrastructure for those who rely on public transport; why we are building new roads or widening the ones we have to improve capacity; and why we are adding new walking and cycling lanes for those who cannot afford other means of transport, with a particular focus on low income areas.
Meanwhile, Madam Speaker, an operational budget of R4,2 billion is allocated for the next financial year alone, with a continued focus on both reactive and proactive road maintenance.
The City is responsible for maintaining a road network of over 10 700km. Our road network is one of Cape Town's biggest assets and requires regular and ongoing maintenance.
Major road rehabilitation and reconstruction projects are planned for Bishop Lavis, Bonteheuwel and Uitsig, Broadlands Road in Somerset West and Jakes Gerwel Drive, Manenberg, the reconstruction of Tafelberg Road and Delft Main Road, among others.
Madam Speaker, I'm confident that the budgetary allocations I've highlighted here today serve as proof of our commitment to keep people, goods, and services on the move with a well maintained and expanding road network, and improved access to public transport services in Cape Town next financial year, and into a future of HOPE.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
