The City of Cape Town is grappling with an alarming surge in vandalism targeting the MyCiTi bus service, particularly affecting the crucial N2 Express routes connecting Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain to the Civic Centre.
Over the past six months, the situation has escalated dramatically, with 26 buses reported damaged due to acts of stone-throwing, wire tampering, and destruction of doors. Shockingly, 56% of MyCiTi buses currently undergoing repair have been victims of what the City describes as anti-social behaviour stemming from the communities relying on the very service they are attacking.
The repercussions of these incidents reveal a concerning trend that puts public safety at risk while severely compromising transport availability.
‘We have noticed a disturbing trend where vandalism, particularly stone throwing, escalates during the school holidays,’ remarks Councillor Rob Quintas, the City’s mayoral committee member for Urban Mobility.
He recounts a particularly harrowing incident from last week involving a bus filled with passengers that was targeted at three separate stops: Bontebok, Spine near AZ Berman school, and Paulsberg.
The result was shattered windows and a smashed door, instilling fear in all those on board.
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These actions are not simply juvenile pranks; they are serious criminal acts that endanger lives, impact the safety of commuters, and undermine the essential social fabric of the community.
‘If the buses were being taken offline for general maintenance or necessary repairs only, there would be far less of an impact on the level of service commuters are experiencing,’ Quintas explains, emphasising the damaging ripple effects of vandalism on bus service reliability.
The City sympathises with commuters who are experiencing increased bus cancellations and shortages due to the ongoing maintenance and refurbishment demands caused by vandalism.
‘Fifty-six percent of the current scheduling issues could be solved if the vandalism stops. The quality of service will then also improve,’ Quintas added.
Each time an act of vandalism occurs, whether it’s damage from stone-throwing or internal destruction like wire tampering, the affected bus must be pulled from service for repairs.
These buses remain out of circulation for extended periods, creating overcrowding and significant delays for commuters during peak hours, which is especially distressing for those relying on public transport to reach their destinations.
The size and demand on the MyCiTi fleet cannot be overstated: buses on the routes serving Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain collectively cover approximately 800 kilometres every day, operating at a subsidised rate.
To address the mounting fleet issues, the City has initiated an aggressive refurbishment programme that must be rolled out in phases. Given the bespoke nature of the vehicles, repairs will take time, but they are essential for the continued provision of safe, dignified public transport.
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