Cape Town is approaching the busiest time of the year, with tourists and local fun seekers visiting the CBD, beaches, shopping centres, Table Mountain, coastal areas and other popular destinations.
Transport for Cape Town, the City of Cape Town’s transport authority, will, therefore, extend the operating hours of the MyCiTi bus service during the festive season. And many of these timetable changes will make life easier for those travelling to, in or via the CBD.
Says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member: Transport for Cape Town, Councillor Brett Herron: "Those driving around the city would have noticed the increase in traffic already. With the weather improving and the start of the festive season only a few weeks off, we expect the number of visitors to increase significantly. I want to remind residents and visitors that the MyCiTi service operates a number of routes to our local beaches and places of interest such as Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront. Visitors are encouraged to opt for the MyCiTi buses, which offer a convenient and scheduled service. Also, part of winding down is not having to drive yourself and to search for parking – I thus advise our locals to give the MyCiTi service a try. Why hassle with congested roads when the buses on the inner-city routes, to Hout Bay and Melkbosstrand will drop you off within walking distance of your destination?"
In addition to being a convenient alternative to private transport, the City will also extend the operational hours of the MyCiTi bus service on routes to shopping centres, tourist attractions and the beaches, and on New Year’s Eve during the festive season.
Additional buses will depart from the Waterfront on the T01 trunk route to Table View and Dunoon via the Central City, route 104 to Sea Point via the Central City, route D01 from the Central City to Khayelitsha East, and route D04 from the Central City to Kapteinsklip in Mitchells Plain.
Says Councillor Herron: "We will also add more buses on routes to and from the popular beaches on 16, 25, 26, 27 and 31 December 2016, as well as on 1 and 2 January 2017. I want to urge beachgoers to rather park in the vicinity of the Civic Centre station in the CBD and take a MyCiTi bus to Sea Point, Camps Bay and Hout Bay. The main routes along the Atlantic Seaboard are notorious for bumper-to-bumper traffic during the festive season and limited on-street parking. Taking the bus is the most convenient option."
Additional buses will operate between the Civic Centre station and Camps Bay (route 107), and Hout Bay and the CBD via Sea Point (route 108).
"The MyCiTi service will operate late into the night to accommodate those who want to celebrate New Year’s Eve at popular spots around the city. It is a safe and hassle-free option with additional buses operating between 21h30 and 02h00 on selected routes and at intervals of 20 to 30 minutes," adds Councillor Herron.
The last bus will leave the Waterfront to Table View and Usasaza via the CBD (T01) at 01h00; and from the Civic Centre to Camps Bay (route 107) at 01h00.
The MyCiTi schedules will also be adjusted to cater for quieter morning and afternoon peak-hour periods due to the annual holiday period as from Monday 19 December 2016 to Friday 6 January 2017.
"Those wanting to make use of the MyCiTi service must please remember to buy a myconnect card and load Mover points on their cards as we do not accept cash on the buses," concludes Councillor Herron.