Article re-cap
- The City of Cape Town has requested long term funding certainty from the national government regarding the MyCiTi bus service.
- The MyCiTi bus system accounts for 42% of all bus rapid transit passenger trips in South Africa.
- Funding uncertainty may delay the expansion of MyCiTi services to the Cape Flats, which is intended to benefit over 1.4 million commuters.
- Mayor Geordin Hill Lewis has warned that the planned phase out of the Public Transport Network Grant could put local bus services at risk.
The City of Cape Town has requested long-term funding certainty from the national government before implementing a new public transport funding model.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis wrote to Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy and Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana regarding the future of the MyCiTi bus service. The mayor warned that the planned phase-out of the Public Transport Network Grant could put services at risk.
The national government plans to replace the current grant with a new Public Transport Fund, but the city requires certainty before the transition occurs. Hill-Lewis stated that MyCiTi accounts for 42% of all bus rapid transit passenger trips nationally and described the system as a success.
The mayor said that while Cape Town supports ending funding for unsuccessful projects, services on track should not be penalised. He noted that cities plan three to five years ahead and require long-term certainty to function effectively.
Funding uncertainty could delay the expansion of services to the Cape Flats, which is expected to benefit more than 1.4 million commuters. Hill-Lewis is also calling for previous grant cuts to be reversed.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Cape Town requesting funding certainty from the national government?
The City of Cape Town needs long-term funding certainty before implementing a new public transport funding model. The national government plans to replace the current Public Transport Network Grant with a new Public Transport Fund, and the mayor warned this transition could put MyCiTi services at risk without guaranteed support during the changeover.
How significant is MyCiTi to public transport in South Africa?
MyCiTi accounts for 42% of all bus rapid transit passenger trips nationally. Mayor Hill-Lewis described the system as a success and argued that successful services should not be penalised when the government transitions to a new funding model for unsuccessful projects.
Who would benefit from the expansion of MyCiTi services to the Cape Flats?
The expansion of MyCiTi services to the Cape Flats is expected to benefit more than 1.4 million commuters. However, Mayor Hill-Lewis warned that funding uncertainty could delay this expansion, which is a key priority for extending public transport access to these communities.
What planning timeline do cities need for public transport services?
According to Mayor Hill-Lewis, cities plan three to five years ahead and require long-term certainty to function effectively. This is why Cape Town needs certainty about the transition from the current grant to the new Public Transport Fund before proceeding with service changes.
Source: ewn.co.za
