With Cape Town now ranked the ninth most congested city in the world, Western Cape MEC for Mobility Isaac Sileku has warned that traffic gridlock is more than an inconvenience – it is undermining livelihoods, businesses, and the environment.
Launching Mobility Month on Wednesday with a panel discussion in Cape Town, Sileku brought together major transport players to confront one of the province’s biggest challenges: easing congestion and improving public transport.
The discussion included representatives from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS), the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), and academics. Together, they stressed that while congestion cannot be eliminated, it can be better managed through coordinated solutions.
Among the issues raised was the heavy reliance on private vehicles, with 60% of cars during peak hours carrying just one passenger.
PRASA Regional Manager Raymond Maseko said rail must once again become the backbone of the system.
“We aim to move one million passengers a day. Passenger rail must anchor public transport, supported by other modes,” he said.
SANTACO Provincial Chairperson Mandla Hermanus said taxi operators are beginning to adopt higher-occupancy vehicles, such as 23- and 25-seaters, which carry more people, while cutting operating costs.
Sileku said the province’s strategy rests on three pillars: strengthening public transport, expanding non-motorised options like cycling and walking, and shifting travel behaviour through carpooling, flexible working, and technology.
“We cannot build our way out of congestion.
“We must manage it with innovative and practical solutions. That means enabling public transport to be the first choice for commuters and ensuring rail, buses, taxis and e-hailing can coexist effectively.”
The Department of Mobility outlined several interventions already underway, including:
- Rail recovery: Restoring services on the Central Line, rolling out new trains, expanding park-and-ride facilities and deploying the Rail Enforcement Unit.
- Bus services: Golden Arrow carries more than 230 000 passengers daily, alongside the expansion of MyCiTi and the N2 bus lane.
- Taxis: with 75% of commuters relying on minibus taxis, initiatives are being rolled out to improve efficiency and safety.
- Non-motorised transport: safe cycling and walking projects, as well as the distribution of over 400 bicycles annually.
Sileku said Mobility Month is about more than transport logistics.
“At the heart of Mobility Month is one simple goal – to keep goods and people moving safely and efficiently across the Western Cape. We want to reclaim lost hours, unlock economic growth, and restore dignity in how people move.” – SAnews.gov.za
