Artist impression of the new MyCiTi bus station and other proposed upgrades to the existing bus terminus along Claremont Boulevard. Picture: City of Cape Town/Supplied
Cape Town - The City of Cape Town’s urban mobility directorate is proposing a more modernised facelift to the MyCiTi station, other bus services facilities, and upgrades to Stanhope Road and Claremont Boulevard in Claremont.
Urban mobility Mayco member Rob Quintas made the announcement yesterday, saying the proposed upgrades and expansion of the existing bus terminus along Claremont Boulevard would help revitalise the precinct with world-class public transport facilities.
According to the directorate, the investment in the precinct forms part of the expansion of the MyCiTi footprint to Claremont, Wynberg, Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha.
“The new MyCiTi station will be in the heart of Claremont, within walking distance of student accommodation, shopping malls and other amenities, and a block away from Main Road, the main artery connecting this area with the Cape Town CBD,” Quintas said.
The directorate said the existing bus terminus along Claremont Boulevard, between Hawthorne Road and Newry Street, will be upgraded and expanded to make room for a new MyCiTi station within walking distance of the Claremont railway station and the minibus taxi facility in Ralph Street.
“Once the upgrade has been completed and the new MyCiTi station is operational, commuters will have a choice of five different modes of public transport: MyCiTi, Gabs, UCT Shuttle, passenger rail and minibus taxis, within a radius of less than 120m,” Quintas said.
The urban mobility directorate has proposed the following:
The MyCiTi station will comprise four enclosed platforms.
The MyCiTi station precinct will include a ticket office, 10 electronic access gates, lock-up facilities for bicycles and ticket vending machines.
All facilities and walkways will be universally accessible.
The concept design includes an overhead concrete slab or deck which could accommodate a multi-storey building above the MyCiTi station for a future mixed-use development in line with the City’s transit-oriented development strategic framework.
A small bus-holding facility will be located under the Stadium-on-Main for a maximum of five off-peak buses and driver shift changes.
Gabs buses will operate from a dedicated bus lane along Central Street, as is currently the case.
The UCT Shuttle service will still operate from Central Street, at the ground floor entrance of the Stadium-on-Main.
The planned upgrade includes the planting of trees and other landscaping that will benefit the surrounding area and the pedestrian experience.
The department said that given that the upgraded bus facility will be located on land of high development value, the proposed concept design of the new MyCiTi station accommodates the possibility of overhead development in future.
“That is why we are proposing to upgrade the roads surrounding Claremont Boulevard, with the addition of dedicated bus lanes to and from the bus facility.
“The Stanhope Bridge will be realigned to ease access from Imam Haron Road and will include dedicated bus lanes. Palmyra Road will be realigned into a T-junction with Imam Haron Road.”
While the concept designs for the facilities and road upgrades will be available for comment from October 10 until November 10, 2022, Quintas said if all goes as planned, construction on the station will commence in August 2024.
“After the conclusion of the public participation process and detailed design, the construction will take about 24 months,” he said.
Residents and all other interested and affected parties are encouraged to comment on the draft concept design for the facility, including the proposed changes to roads in the area. The closing date for comments is November 10, 2022.