Billions spent on better roads and public transport

Billions spent on better roads and public transport

30 August 2026

The City’s Urban Mobility Directorate has achieved its highest ever capital expenditure for the past financial year. Over R2,5 billion has been spent on improving roads and walkways, and improving road capacity, and an additional R1,633 billion on building new infrastructure for the MyCiTi buses that will start operating on routes between the metro-south east and Claremont and Wynberg next year. The work is visible all over Cape Town.

The City’s Urban Mobility Directorate has spent R2,54 billion on capital projects from 1 July 2025 to 31 June 2026.

A further R1,633 billion was spent as part of the Public Transport Network Grant – this funding is ringfenced for the implementation of the infrastructure that is needed to expand the MyCiTi bus service footprint in the metro-south east. This amount is R533 million more than what was initially considered achievable at the start of the financial year due to a complex operating environment and constraints beyond the City’s control.

  • The capital expenditure for 2025/26 is R1 billion more when compared with the previous financial year (2024/25).

‘This achievement is remarkable. To give our residents an idea: our Urban Mobility teams and contractors are working in an extreme environment where work is often delayed by extortionists, and community unrest. Some need to be escorted by Law Enforcement with 24-hour security services on site, just to do their job. In some locations, access is constrained, or work is halted due to a water main or electricity cable that needs to be relocated. This alone can delay a project by months. Then we often face delays caused by bad weather.

‘These are not excuses, but the harsh reality of working in an environment where a lot is beyond our control, apart from planning ahead and making sure we have a solution for whatever happens on site. Project management is key. I want to commend our Urban Mobility project managers for their dedication and commitment, and the support they get behind the scenes. They work long hours, often at night, and meet with communities and stakeholders to keep the momentum going. The whole Urban Mobility team plays a role with strong programme governance, proactive intervention on high-risk projects and an unwavering focus on delivery.

‘This is visible all around us – we can see it in the major road rehabilitation projects, such as Jakes Gerwel Drive and Jan van Riebeeck Road. From the Sky Circle project in Lansdowne, to the new red roads along AZ Berman Drive, and the station that is being built in Claremont. We know these projects cause some frustration for commuters and residents, but we are committed to keeping Cape Town moving for decades to come, and investing in new infrastructure and the maintenance of existing infrastructure is part of this process,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

  • Regular and ongoing road maintenance remains a priority. Cape Town’s road network covers nearly 10 700 km, it is one of our biggest assets, and invaluable in terms of keeping Capetonians moving. The directorate has spent over R1 billion from its operational budget on road maintenance and stormwater infrastructure in the past financial year.

‘Where residents have seen our teams working, they can rest assured that we have and are spending public money on what it is intended for,’ said Councillor Quintas.

Some key highlights:

  • R2,54 billion capital expenditure delivered in 2025/26
  • R1,633 billion spent on the public transport infrastructure implementation programme, the highest level achieved to date
  • Delivery increased by almost R1 billion compared to the previous financial year
  • More than R600 million was spent during June 2026 alone, reflecting unprecedented delivery momentum
  • Rehabilitation of various roads in Bishop Lavis
  • Rehabilitation of Jakes Gerwel Drive between Viking Way and Voortrekker Road
  • Rehabilitation of Jan van Riebeeck Road in Parow between Viking Way and Epping Avenue
  • Rehabilitation of La Belle Road in Bellville
  • Refurbishment of the MyCiTi bus fleet and replacement of validators
  • R500 million spent on the procurement of the City’s first battery-electric bus fleet
  • Ongoing infrastructure projects related to the roll-out of the second phase of the MyCiTi bus service: Sky Circle in Lansdowne; works along AZ Berman Drive in Mitchells Plain; roadworks along Imam Haron Road, Turfhall Road, Govan Mbeki Road, and Heinz Road; and the construction of the Claremont bus station
  •  Over 200 km of roads resurfaced
  • Over R140 million spent on stormwater cleaning and maintenance

Caption: Some of the ongoing infrastructure projects related to the roll-out of the second phase of the MyCiTi bus service are the Sky Circle in Lansdowne and the Duinefontein bridge at the intersection of Duinefontein Road and Govan Mbeki Road in Nyanga.

The Transport Network Management Department spent about R65 million on preventative maintenance installations, equipment, and upgrades to ensure signalised intersections are fully functional to keep traffic moving on our roads.

These include:

  • Re-cabling of 32 signalised intersections
  • 42 traffic signal controller upgrades, 12 of which were installed in underground chambers to mitigate theft and vandalism
  • Vehicle detection upgrades at 19 signalised intersections
  • Review and reprogramming of all signal plans along six city corridors to improve traffic flow

In addition, the department installed traffic calming measures in the vicinity of 82 schools and 20 other sites across the city.

Audio: https://bit.ly/4ybubrG

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