The City of Cape Town’s transport boss discussed congestion and other problems dogging traffic flow in the city, at the Kirstenhof and Environs Residents’ Association annual general meeting last week.
About 70 people attended the meeting at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Raapkraal Road, where Mayco member for transport and urban development, Brett Herron, spoke about the City’s 10-year plan for improved traffic management.
The meeting heard about the proposed Retreat station transport hub, tighter control on all taxi routes, plans for the MyCiTi bus route, and easing congestion on Main Road from Diep River
Mr Herron had spent his afternoon obtaining an urgent court order against striking MyCiTi workers.
The biggest blow to the city’s transport infrastructure in recent years has been on its commuter rail lines.
Mr Herron said that this year in the Western Cape, 47 coaches had been destroyed by arson and would cost about R150 million to repair.
Since 2015, more than 150 coaches have been destroyed – the equivalent of at least 20 trains, worth hundreds of millions of rand.
Metrorail needed at least eight train sets – one engine with 12 carriages – to meet the rail commuter demand, said Mr Herron.
The new train sets would only be ready in 2021, he said.
The City hopes to eventually take control of the rail system, but Mr Herron said that was a long-term goal that could take many years to achieve.
An upgrade to the Retreat railway station train hub was part of the City’s 10-year budget, he said. Construction should start early next year and take about two years.
The City was piloting a minibus-taxi transformation project and was working with four associations.
The idea is that taxi associations employ drivers and improve service delivery at the interchanges, including cleaning, light maintenance and security.
“Taxis operating illegally include driving on the road shoulder or operating without permit are symptomatic of morals as drivers and associations compete for business on routes,” said Mr Herron.
Mr Herrons aid were no plans to introduce MyCiTi to the south eastern peninsula as the area was serviced by the rail network.
KERAchairmanMikeOdd encouraged people to join the association.
“It brings residents together to have a meaningful voice in the future development of the residential area; to ensure the compliance with town planning requirements, regulations and procedures; to take appropriate steps to restrict the scope and extent of commercial activities; and to keep residents informed of City affairs and other public bodies,” he said.
To join KERA, contact membership secretary Lynette Harris at kirstenhofera@gmail.com