MyCiTi route expansion set to transform the Metro south-east
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis visited the new bus depots in Spine Road in Khayelitsha on Thursday October 23.
Image: Supplied
The MyCiTi N2 Express service from Mitchell's Plain and Khayelitsha to the Cape Town CBD is already one of the city’s busiest routes.
The expansion of the service to Wynberg and Claremont is expected to have a transformative impact on communities across the metro’s south-east.
“It is amazing to see the infrastructure rising before our eyes to bring safe, affordable and reliable public transport along new routes linking Khayelitsha, Mitchell's Plain and surrounding communities, said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
The depots will be used by the MyCiTi bus fleet once the routes between Mitchell's Plain and Khayelitsha and Claremont and Wynberg become operational. The Mayor met the project management team members (pictured) from the Urban Mobility Directorate at the site.
Image: Supplied
"The expansion of the MyCiTi service comes with an overall investment of R10 billion – the largest metro-led public transport project by any South African city,” he said.
He said the MyCiTi expansion is a key part of Cape Town’s record R40 billion infrastructure investment over the next three years, with 75% of that directly benefitting lower-income households.
Two new bus depots, each 7.5 hectares in size, will serve the south-east route expansion. Each depot will initially accommodate up to 145 buses, scalable to 250.
The facilities include mechanical workshops, refueling stations, underground capacity for electric bus charging, automated bus-cleaning systems, office space, and rest areas for drivers, he said.
“We are delighted that these completed depot projects exceeded their local job and small business targets, creating employment for nearly 500 residents in Mitchell's Plain and Khayelitsha," said Rob Quintas, mayoral committee member for urban mobility
Forty-six local subcontractors were also involved. The depots will be the beating heart of the new route expansion, bringing accessible mobility, jobs, and economic growth,” Mr Quintas said.
Beyond the depots, several major infrastructure projects are underway to support the scheduled, safe, and affordable service to Wynberg and Claremont.
These include the construction of the Sky Circle at Govan Mbeki Road (M9) and Jan Smuts Drive (M17), a first in South Africa. Bridge construction is also taking place over Duynefontein and Govan Mbeki Roads.
New traffic lanes, bus stops, and pedestrian and cycling routes are being developed along Govan Mbeki Road.
In addition, major upgrades along Turfhall Road, AZ Berman Drive, Stanhope Road, Imam Haron Road (M24), and Chichester Road will accommodate new bus lanes and improved intersections, paving the way for a "world-class, inclusive transport network for Cape Town’s south-east," he said.