Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain commuters could bear the brunt of proposed cuts to the Public Transport Network Grant (PTNG-BFI).
Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility in the City of Cape Town, Rob Quintas, has warned that proposed reductions to the Public Transport Network Grant (PTNG-BFI) could delay the expansion of the MyCiTi bus service.
He said the grant has been the primary funding mechanism supporting the roll-out and expansion of Integrated Public Transport Networks (IPTNs) across the Mother City and in South Africa’s major centres.
Quintas explained: “While the City’s existing PTNG-BFI allocation of approximately R7.1 billion for MyCiTi Phase 2A remains in place until June 2028, the broader reductions to PTNG funding and the proposed discontinuation of the grant thereafter create significant uncertainty regarding the long-term sustainability and expansion of the system.”
Quintas said, although there is R2.5 billion that remains available over the 2026/27 and 2027/28 financial years.
However, beyond that, there is currently no clear, detailed, or guaranteed funding framework in place to support:
- Future MyCiTi corridor expansion
- Completion of long-term IPTN implementation plans
- Supporting infrastructure investments
- Operational growth requirements
- Fleet expansion and replacement programmes
Quintas said the impact of this uncertainty is substantial, because public transport infrastructure projects are long-term programmes.
He said MyCiTi requires stable and predictable funding over many years.
Quintas added: “The City remains committed to the continued roll-out and expansion of the MyCiTi service, particularly the implementation of Phase 2A (MSEC) which is intended to connect communities in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain with Wynberg and Claremont through a scheduled, integrated public transport service.”
However, he said uncertainty over future PTNG funding puts several long-term projects and expansion plans at risk.
Quintas said: “The City is particularly concerned that without long-term funding certainty, the pace and scale of future expansion could be delayed or reduced.
“The current MSEC roll-out remains a major priority and work continues across multiple construction packages in Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Wynberg and Claremont. This includes road upgrades, dedicated bus infrastructure, station construction and depot development.”
Quintas said MyCiTi carries approximately 19 million passenger trips annually.
While implementing a project of this scale has naturally brought challenges, the City remains confident that MyCiTi has significantly improved mobility options for residents.
Quintas added: “Cape Town’s public transport challenges remain significant, particularly for lower-income commuters travelling long distances between residential areas and economic centres.
“The proposed funding reductions therefore do not simply impact infrastructure projects, it directly impacts commuters and the City’s ability to improve mobility outcomes for residents. “