The City of Cape Town’s Transport Department is in the process of expanding its Park-and-Ride network – a welcome development in light of the increasing number of residents switching to public transport as a result of fuel price hikes.
The City had 26 Park-and-Ride stations in place as part of the overall Transport Operations Plan for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The second phase of this project includes the addition of more facilities over the next five years at a cost of over R50 million. It will focus on the stations that have the highest number of public transport users, i.e. on the central and northern line from Cape Town to Khayelitsha and to Bellville. Some of these stations include: Bellville, Philippi, Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Heideveld, Nolungile, Retreat, Pinelands, Langa, Nyanga, Woodstock, Bonteheuwel, Nonkubela and Muizenberg.
The City’s Park-and-Ride programme caters for rail- and road-based transport. While the upgrades focus on parking demand for private vehicles, other modes of transport are also being accommodated, i.e. walking, cycling, and drop-off/pick-up facilities. These facilities enable residents to leave their vehicles at a secure facility and transfer to a bus or rail system for the rest of their trip.
An example is the City’s successful 2008 pilot project for a road-based Park-and-Ride facility in Somerset West, with an express service operated by Golden Arrow. Two buses are providing the peak hour services using the N2 BMT lane to take advantage of reduction in travel time to the city centre and cost of travel.
In addition, a Park-and-Ride facility along Blaauwberg Road (Woods Station) in Table View has been proposed, linked to the MyCiTi Bus Rapid Transit service.
A number of station precincts have already been upgraded since the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, including Kraaifontein, Oosterzee, Lansdowne, Retreat, Plumstead, Ottery, Fish Hoek, Kuils River, Brackenfell and Monte Vista. Work is also currently underway at stations in Claremont, Kenilworth, Diep River, Heathfield and Eerste River at a cost of R11 million.
Park-and-Ride facilities offer a stress-free way for commuters to get to their destination during the most congested part of their journey, while also avoiding scarce and expensive city parking. These facilities also serve the needs of commuters who live beyond practical walking distance from railway stations or bus stops. Most importantly, Park-and-Ride facilities encourage commuters to use public transport instead of their private vehicles, thus reducing traffic congestion on main arterial routes.
The afore-mentioned upgrades and developments are in line with the City’s long-term transport plan to:
- Support and promote the use of rail- and road-based public transport
- Promote sustainable transport
- Develop transport options in line with the City’s climate change and energy plan
- Support Cape Town’s extensive rail system
- Reduce congestion on main arterial routes entering the CBD, especially during peak periods
- Reduce the dependence on private vehicles by providing a sustainable and affordable alternative.
