Information day about MyCiTi station, road improvements for Claremont

The City’s Urban Mobility Directorate is hosting a public information day on Tuesday, 18 October 2022, about the proposed MyCiTi station, facilities for other bus services, and upgrades to Stanhope Road and Claremont Boulevard in Claremont. The investment in this precinct forms part of the expansion of the MyCiTi footprint to Claremont, Wynberg, Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha. Residents are encouraged to use this opportunity to ask officials questions about the concept design for the facilities and road upgrades. The closing date for comment is 10 November 2022.

The public information day is hosted as follows:

  • Tuesday, 18 October 2022
  • From 14:00 to 18:00
  • At the Claremont Library, Wilderness Road, Claremont

‘Residents and interested and affected parties should try and attend the information day as the officials working on this project will be present to answer their questions and give explanations. The proposed upgrades and expansion of the existing bus terminus along Claremont Boulevard will revitalise this precinct with world-class public transport facilities. The new MyCiTi station will be in the heart of Claremont, within walking distance of student accommodation, shopping malls, and other amenities, and literally a block away from Main Road, the main artery connecting this area with the Cape Town CBD. I encourage residents to please take a look at what we propose for this precinct, and to submit comments and proposals by 10 November 2022,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

The existing bus terminus along Claremont Boulevard, between Hawthorne Road and Newry Street, will be upgraded and expanded to include a new MyCiTi bus station within walking distance from the Claremont railway station and the minibus-taxi facility in Ralph Street.

‘Once the upgrade has been completed and the new MyCiTi station is operational, commuters will have a choice of five different modes of public transport – MyCiTi, GABS, UCT Shuttle, passenger rail, and minibus-taxis – within a radius of less than 120m.

‘This will revolutionise the way commuters travel to and from Claremont as they will have quick and easy access to different modes of transport with seamless transfers between their mode of choice. The MyCiTi station will serve destinations in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain via the planned trunk route that is to connect the metro-south east with Wynberg and Claremont,’ said Councillor Quintas.

Proposals for new bus facility along Claremont Boulevard:

  • The MyCiTi station will comprise of four enclosed platforms
  • The MyCiTi station precinct will include a ticket office, 10 electronic access gates, lock-up facilities for bicycles and ticket vending machines 
  • All facilities and walkways will be universally accessible
  • The concept design includes an overhead concrete slab or deck which could accommodate a multi-storey building above the MyCiTi station for a future mixed use development in line with the City’s transit-oriented development strategic framework
  • A small bus holding facility will be located under the Stadium-on-Main for a maximum of five off-peak buses and driver shift changes
  • GABS buses will operate from a dedicated bus lane along Central Street, as is currently the case
  • The UCT Shuttle Service will still operate from Central Street, at the Ground Floor entrance of the Stadium-on-Main
  • The planned upgrade includes the planting of trees and other landscaping which will benefit the surrounding area and pedestrian experience

‘We are bringing the MyCiTi service to Claremont as part of our commitment to giving more Capetonians access to safe, affordable, dignified and reliable public transport. Apart from adding to our public transport offering, the surrounding area will also benefit from this investment in the existing infrastructure and roads in the immediate vicinity,’ said Councillor Quintas.

Given that the upgraded bus facility will be located on land of high development value, the proposed concept design of the new MyCiTi station accommodates the possibility of overhead development in future.

‘Mixed use developments add to the vibrancy and efficiency of public transport precincts, and we are excited that the transit-oriented development principles are included in this proposal,’ said Councillor Quintas.

Proposed changes to surrounding roads:

  • Claremont Boulevard will be upgraded with the addition of dedicated bus lanes to and from the bus facility
  • Stanhope Bridge will be realigned to ease access from Imam Haron Road, and will include dedicated bus lanes
  • Palmyra Road will be realigned into a T-junction with Imam Haron Road

Residents and interested and affected parties are encouraged to comment on the draft concept design for the facility, including the proposed changes to roads in the area. The closing date for comments is 10 November 2022.

How to comment:

If all goes as planned, the construction will commence in August 2024, after the conclusion of the public participation process and detailed design. The construction will take about 24 months.