Cape Town – THE Cape metro is mulling taking steps to cut diesel from its public transit system, the MyCiti bus service.
Just like its competitor, the privately-owned Golden Arrow Bus Service, it wants to look into the viability of introducing electric buses to its fleet - but only in the “long run”.
Transport in Cape Town, a city whose per capita energy-related carbon footprint in 2019 increased with 4.9%, is the biggest contributor by sector of carbon emissions in the city.
“So, for the expansion of the MyCiti service, the first tranche of new buses will still be diesel, but thereafter, the expectation is to make use of an alternative fuel supply for buses moving on the metro-south-east corridor,” a bigwig within the City told Weekend Argus, adding that gas and electric vehicles are a viable option.
“Certainly, the City wants to be less dependent on crude oil, and so that’s one of the considerations right now, but it’s imperative to note that’s still early days.”
Mayco member for mobility, Rob Quintas, told Weekend Argus that the source is correct, adding that the new buses will still make use of diesel, “but a cleaner version”.
“We are extending our fleet imminently. Those buses that will come through are going to be what is referred to as Euro-5 diesel buses,” Quintas said.
“They are, obviously, still diesel-based, but it’s a very clean or green type of diesel. The reason we decided that is because electric buses are prohibitively expensive. We have started informal discussions with Treasury around the 35% import tax on electric vehicles, so we are trying to see if we can be exempt from paying 35% on the tariff for electric vehicles.
“There are manufacturers looking at assembling electric vehicles here in South Africa. We may consider working with them in the future. In terms of hydrogen, it is a conversation we’d be far more looking towards electric buses if they were manufactured (to consume less fuel) or if we are able to side-step that 35%,” Quintas said.
Electricity, the City previously said, constitutes 64% of all carbon emissions because Eskom remains heavily reliant on coal.
Currently, the high costs of diesel is having a crippling effect on the MyCiti bus service, which led to the decision to downscale the service.
The move is reportedly an attempt to contain soaring costs associated with the high cost of diesel. It will be followed by fare increases for other routes, as from November 1.
The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry strongly oppose this plan.
“We believe the City should endeavour to absorb the additional cost rather than further erode a public transport infrastructure that is already severely depleted due largely to the implosion of the passenger rail service,” said the Chamber’s deputy president Derryn Brigg.
“The MyCiti bus routes connect commuters to the economy and are, therefore, a vital public service that should be cross-subsidised, if necessary. The longer-term negative impacts of reducing mobility within the metropolitan area far outweigh any short-term benefit to the City’s balance sheet.”
Economist Ulrich Joubert said it would be practical to find an alternative supply of fuel for these buses.
“Diesel is really expensive. I don’t see how using diesel on a long-term basis will be sustainable,” Joubert said.
“Hydrogen-powered MyCiti buses are the way to go.”
Weekend Argus.