Urban Mobility budget prioritises maintenance, congestion, public transport to keep Cape Town moving

14 April 2023

The capital budget for the City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate amounts to approximately R8,3 billion for the next three financial years, with over R543 million allocated to projects to relieve traffic congestion; R553 million for major road reconstruction and rehabilitation, as well as R5,2 billion to expand the MyCiTi bus service to the metro-south east, Wynberg, and Claremont. As for the operational budget, about R4,2 billion has been allocated for the next financial year, starting 1 July 2023, with a continued focus on reactive and proactive road maintenance. 

'Mobility is our business. Our expenditure priorities for the next three financial years demonstrate our intention to keep people, goods, and services on the move with a well maintained and expanding road network and improved access to public transport services.

'We all know that better living conditions are closely linked to a person's ability to find a job and provide for their families. Economic growth, employment and productivity go hand in hand. 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. All of these projects are aimed at keeping Cape Town moving,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

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.

Over the next three financial years, we have budgeted approximately R553 million for road reconstruction and major rehabilitation work to prolong the longevity of our existing road network. Projects are planned for roads in Bishop Lavis, Bonteheuwel and Uitsig, along Broadlands Road in Somerset West and Jakes Gerwel Drive, Manenberg, and the reconstruction of Tafelberg Road and Delft Main Road, among others.

A large number of Capetonians walk to their destinations, or public transport services. Projects amounting to R51 million are in the pipeline to improve walking and cycling lanes in Khayelitsha over the next three financial years; and approximately R52 million for Mitchells Plain over the same period.

All of these projects are aimed at keeping Cape Town moving

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We are busy expanding the footprint of the MyCiTi bus service to provide commuters from the metro-south east with scheduled, safe, affordable and reliable public transport to Wynberg and Claremont.

The capital budget for the next three financial years include approximately R5,2 billion to build the roads, stations, stops, bus depots, and other infrastructure needed to implement the MyCiTi bus service in these areas. This is one of the biggest undertakings by any metro city in South Africa. The MyCiTi bus service and associated public investment will bring much needed urban renewal to Wynberg in particular. Other road users will also benefit from improvements to public transport interchanges and general road upgrades to accommodate the MyCiTi bus service.

In addition, 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.

Many commuters rely on minibus-taxis, as such, major refurbishments and upgrades are planned to provide commuters and operators with safe, dignified, and functional facilities:

• About R60 million is budgeted for a new minibus-taxi facility in Mfuleni
• R168,1 million is budgeted for the new public transport interchange (PTI) in Nyanga
• R53,6 million is budgeted for the new PTI in Vuyani
• R77,4 million is budgeted for the new PTI in Nolungile
• R57,7 million is budgeted for the new PTI in Nonkqubela
• R9,8 million is budgeted for the upgrade of the Manenberg PTI

Congestion relief is a big talking point. Cape Town is a growing city with more people relocating here in search of better lives and opportunities. We have budgeted over R543 million for projects to alleviate the worst pressure points over the next three financial years, starting 1 July 2023.

Counting among the congestion relief projects are:

• Completion of the Erica Drive road link between Belhar Drive and Nooiensfontein Road in Belhar
• the dualling of Jip de Jager Road from Kommissaris Street to Van Riebeeckshof Road in Durbanville
• the third phase of the dualling of a section of Kommetjie Main Road in the South
• upgrades to the M3 highway between Hospital Bend and Constantia Main Road
• the extension of Saxdowns Road in Kuils River from Lanverwacht Road to Van Riebeeck Road to link Bottelary Road in the north with Van Riebeeck Road in the south;
• the dualling of a section of Berkley Road in Maitland
• the dualling of Amandel Road from Bottelary Road to Church Street, including a new bridge over the Bottelary River in Kuils River
• upgrade of Voortrekker Road to increase road capacity from the Salt River circle to Jakes Gerwel Drive in Maitland

The operational budget is spent on day-to-day costs, for maintenance of existing infrastructure, and the operational costs of the MyCiTi bus service. The directorate's operational budget for 2023/24 amounts to R4,2 billion.

'The City's proposed budget for the 2023/24 financial year is available for public comment until 5 May 2023, and will serve before Council on 31 May 2023 for approval. I encourage residents to please peruse the proposed budget, and to comment on our priorities for the next three years,' said Councillor Quintas.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office