- Residents in Bo-Kaap are frustrated by daily traffic congestion caused by tour buses blocking roads.
- They are calling on the City of Cape Town to implement traffic plans that were proposed years ago.
- The City is reviewing potential solutions, but residents are anxious about the upcoming holiday season when traffic is expected to worsen.
Bo-Kaap residents says they are frustrated and at their wits end with tour buses blocking roads and entrances to their homes when bringing tourists to the vibrant community.
The area is a popular tourist’s destination with hundreds visiting daily.
But residents say, as a result, traffic congestion is a “nightmare”.
A resident, Ebrahim Christian, says Wale and Rose streets are particularly problematic as these are the main routes into the area.
“The buses will stop in the road and offload tourists. Sometimes it’s three buses behind each other. It becomes congested. It happens on the most awkward times, like on a Friday when it is prayer time. They have no consideration for our community.
“The tour groups take their time to get out of the road. People must drive around them. It happens throughout the day.”
He says they are already dreading the holiday season when more visitors are expected.
“We are calling for a solution. These roads were not made to accommodate buses.”
‘Nightmare’
A former resident took to social media to voice her frustration.
“Trying to drive in Wale Street is a total nightmare. This big bus stops to pick up his passengers and just simply blocks the road. Why can’t they have the passengers get out on the square next to the garage and walk up, why block the already narrow road?”
Osman Shabodien, Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers Association chair, says traffic woes in the area is not new and that they’ve been calling for interventions for many years.
He explains that as a community they drew up a traffic plan in 2017 that was handed over to the City of Cape Town.
Shabodien urged the City to come to the party and said it is a matter of urgency.
“It is not a tall order. All we need is action and the traffic department to get involved. We have asked that Riebeeck Square be used as a parking area for buses so that the tourists can walk up.”
Francine Higham, Ward 77 councillor, shared with People’s Post a motion of exigency which she submitted to the Subcouncil on Monday 14 October for an investigation to determine a traffic and parking management plan as well as improved pedestrian safety along Wale Street. “I have already engaged with the South African Tourism Services Association (Satsa), who have indicated their support for any traffic management plan that the City should decide on in respect of the tour buses to ensure sustainable tourism that mitigates any negative impact on the community.”
Guide responsibilities
According to Higham, the matter was also raised with Cape Town Tourism.
“They’ve indicated that they will engage with Satsa, the Cape Tourist Guides Association and the relevant tour operators to ensure compliance with road safety regulations and remind all guides of their responsibilities in respect of “The Tourist Guide Code of Conduct and Ethics”.
Mayco member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas said: “We have investigated these proposals and agreed that the existing loading zone in front of the Bo-Kaap Museum be converted into a charter bus drop-and-go.”
According to Quintas, using Riebeeck Square as a parking area is not viable due to the “tight layout of existing parking bays and the large turning radius” required for circulation.
“The space on the Buitengracht median was also considered, however currently this space is also being managed by the City for long-stay patrons, thus for those parking for a half day or full day.”
Museum parking
He said there’s been some discussion to have the managed on-street parking along Buitengracht Street, southbound between Longmarket and Church Street converted into three to four charter bus holding areas.
But he says a drop-and-go would have to take place in front of the museum.
“This idea was initially found to be in contravention of a contract management agreement between the City and the parking management contract and thus, was deemed not to be feasible.”
Quintas says the proposed parking restriction must be subjected to the statutory public participation process before any implementation.
Kevin Jacobs, spokesperson for the City’s traffic services, says the area forms an essential part of Cape Town’s tourist experience.
According to Jacobs, the City has dedicated teams of traffic, metro police and law enforcement officers patrolling sites “frequented by tourists”.
“This deployment will once again support the tourist corridor during the festive season. Traffic officers patrol this area daily.
He urged residents with “specific concerns or complaints” to log a call with the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by calling 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.
