A new study has once again placed Cape Town among the most congested cities in the world, revealing that local drivers spent an average of 94 hours stuck in traffic in 2024 – marking a worrying trend for the city’s mobility, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The latest findings from INRIX, a global transportation data firm, highlight Cape Town’s struggles with congestion, making it the most gridlocked city in South Africa by far.
In fact, this equates to more than two full workweeks lost to traffic jams, as commuters face lengthy delays travelling to the city’s bustling CBD from surrounding areas.
This ‘lost time’ refers to the hours drivers spend in peak traffic compared to non-peak periods. As congestion increases, time and fuel are wasted, a scenario that has significant economic implications, says INRIX analyst Bob Pishue. ‘Each minute spent in traffic results in lost productivity and money,’ he noted.
In global terms, Cape Town ranks ninth in INRIX’s congestion impact scale, which measures both the severity of gridlock and the size of cities.
This marks the second consecutive year the city has appeared in the top 10, with 2024 seeing an increase in the average lost hours – from 83 hours in 2023 to 94 hours. By comparison, cities like Istanbul, New York and Chicago dominate the global rankings for worst congestion.
The report also sheds light on the larger trend of South African cities experiencing growing congestion. Johannesburg follows Cape Town in the ranking, occupying 31st place with 55 hours lost to traffic, while Pretoria is further down at 101st with 45 hours. However, some cities in the country, such as Welkom, show almost negligible congestion levels.
While some experts question the methodology behind the INRIX study, arguing that it could be biassed for cities with constant gridlock, Cape Town’s traffic struggles are well documented.
The city’s public transport issues, particularly with the rail system, have long been a source of frustration. The collapse of Metrorail service between 2016 and 2022, compounded by vandalism and neglect, led to an increase in car usage and overcrowded minibus taxis on already clogged roads.
Rob Quintas, Cape Town’s mayoral committee Member for Urban Mobility, acknowledged that the city must address its traffic congestion but emphasised that expanding road capacity alone would not solve the issue.
‘Road expansion is costly and provides only short-term relief,’ he said, explaining that the solution lies in enhancing public transport infrastructure.
The city has focused its efforts on improving public transportation, with major initiatives like the second phase of the MyCiTi bus network. This will link key town centres in the southern and northern suburbs to reduce the reliance on cars.
Furthermore, Cape Town is working to take control of local commuter rail services from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), aiming to provide more reliable and efficient transport options.
To tackle long-term congestion, the City has also embarked on significant road upgrades, such as widening the N2 and transforming Jakes Gerwel Drive into a freeway.
These projects are expected to be completed by 2034, though for now, Cape Town’s commuters continue to grapple with gridlock.
As the City plans its way forward, Quintas remains optimistic that the gradual expansion of public transport services and road upgrades will help manage congestion in the future.
However, he cautioned that solving Cape Town’s traffic problems will require both time and sustained effort.
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Picture: ER Lombard / Gallo
