The City of Cape Town has proposed a R4.7 billion operational budget for urban mobility in the new financial year beginning on 1 July. The budget includes more than R1.7 billion for the MyCiTi bus service and R1.9 billion for road maintenance and upgrades.
Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, said the city plans to continue investing heavily in public transport, road infrastructure, and safer walking and cycling routes. More than R6 billion has also been allocated to transport infrastructure projects over the next three years.
At the same time, Geordin Hill-Lewis has appealed to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana for urgent clarity on future funding for the MyCiTi bus service. The request comes as the national Public Transport Network Grant is being phased out.
According to the city, MyCiTi accounts for 42% of all Bus Rapid Transit passenger trips nationally, making it one of the country’s most-used systems. Hill-Lewis warned that uncertainty around grant funding could threaten both existing services and planned route expansions into the Cape Flats.
“I understand why national funding reforms are necessary, because most bus systems in most other metros have been complete failures,” said Hill-Lewis. “But MyCiTi is an exception. It is a success story, and it must be protected.”
VOC News
Photo: VOCfm
