The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) is advocating for the creation of priority lanes on the N2 outbound route from Cape Town’s central business district (CBD) to Jakes Gerwel Drive, aimed at improving traffic flow and supporting public transportation, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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These lanes would be exclusively for public transport vehicles, including Golden Arrow and MyCiTi buses, as well as minibus taxis.
The proposal was presented during the final meeting of the Mini-Bus Taxi Task Team (MBTTT) for 2024, held on Tuesday, 5 November.
One of the key projects discussed at the meeting was the launch of a new WhatsApp channel, designed to enhance communication between the City of Cape Town and the public transport sector.
The channel will allow minibus and metered taxi operators to easily update their operational status, report route conflicts, schedule meetings, and access frequently asked questions, improving coordination and efficiency within the industry.
The main focus, however, was on the proposed introduction of strategic priority lanes along the N2 corridor. These lanes are intended to reduce congestion and allow public transport vehicles to bypass traffic during peak hours.
As part of this initiative, ‘stop-and-go’ zones will also be established along the N2 to prevent taxis from stopping in unsafe areas, especially in spots where there are no designated stopping zones.
This collaborative project between the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government (WCG) is expected to begin in February 2025.
Mandla Hermanus, Western Cape Chair of SANTACO, explained that while there is already a dedicated inbound lane for public transport during the morning rush hour, no such provision currently exists for the afternoon peak. This lack of an outbound priority lane leads to taxis bypassing congestion by driving through residential streets, especially in areas like Woodstock, which has led to complaints from local residents.
The proposed priority lanes aim to address this issue by offering dedicated routes for taxis and buses heading out of the CBD. Civil engineers are already exploring how to implement these lanes in a way that would effectively alleviate congestion while ensuring that the transport network runs smoothly for all users.
In addition to the physical infrastructure improvements, Hermanus emphasised that education and awareness campaigns will be critical to the success of the project.
These programmes will inform drivers, operators and passengers about proper stopping procedures, particularly in areas where passengers may resist being dropped off at designated taxi or bus stops. Hermanus noted that clear communication and public education are essential components of the broader plan to improve public transport services in Cape Town.
The proposed priority lanes on the N2, along with enhanced communication and education initiatives, mark a significant step forward in improving public transport infrastructure and reducing traffic congestion in Cape Town.
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Picture: Screenshot / JP Smith
