Residents have just under a month left to comment on the concept design for proposed upgrades to the bus terminus in Claremont.
Last week, the City of Cape Town announced the start of the public participation process, saying that the planned investment in the precinct formed part of Phase 2A: the expansion of the MyCiTi footprint to Claremont, Wynberg, Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha.
The proposal for the Claremont Public Transport Interchange (PTI) includes a new MyCiTi station, facilities for other bus services and upgrades to Stanhope Road and Claremont Boulevard.
In a media release sent out on Thursday 6 October, the City said the existing bus terminus along Claremont Boulevard (between Hawthorne Road and Newry Street) would be upgraded and expanded to include a new MyCiTi bus station.
The facility – which will comprise four enclosed platforms – will include a ticket office, 10 electronic access gates, lock-up facilities for bicycles and ticket vending machines.
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”, as well as a small bus holding facility located under the Stadium-on-Main for a maximum of five off-peak buses and driver shift changes.
The media release states that the Golden Arrow Bus Service (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. Minibus-taxis will also continue to operate from the facility on Ralph Street.
Rob Quintas, the City’s Mayco member for urban mobility, says the MyCiTi station will serve destinations via the planned trunk route that is to connect the metro-south east with Wynberg and Claremont.
“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 120 m,” Quintas said.
Proposed changes to surrounding roads include the addition of dedicated bus lanes on Claremont Boulevard, both to and from the bus facility. Stanhope Bridge will be realigned to ease access from Imam Haron Road and will include dedicated bus lanes. In addition, Palmyra Road will be realigned into a T-junction with Imam Haron Road.
So far, the proposed plans have been positively received with Mikhail Manuel, councillor for Ward 59, saying that the high standard of the design will give the area a modern, cutting-edge feel. He believes that the City’s investment in the node will spur on other businesses to do the same.
As an example, he points to the Werdmuller building which is located right next to the current bus terminus. At present, the rundown building stands empty.
“The Claremont node holds so much potential for job creation. If they see the City spending money in that area, I am hoping the property owner of Werdmuller will be filled with confidence and reciprocate.”
Manuel, who is also the chair of the combined special portfolio committee meeting of urban mobility, safety and security and economic growth, says the objective of Phase 2A is to get people to make the shift from private cars to public transport.
He says this is the only way to solve congestion. “Once Phase 2A is up and running, you are going to have people being able to connect from Khayelitsha to Claremont CBD, which they currently do, but in traffic.”
“What the upgraded PTI is doing is making the Claremont CBD part and parcel of the bigger story, to make it more accessible; quicker and cheaper to travel to. It proves Claremont CBD is a major hub,” says Manuel.
Something else he is excited about is the potential the overhead concrete slab above the station could hold.
“I’ve reached out to our environmental organisations in the area to comment on the development. The station at the moment is going to have a flat rooftop. In the future, they plan to build on top of it, but in the meantime, it could be used as a rooftop garden and act as a heat sink,” he says.
READ | Plans for the revamp of Wynberg’s PTI parked, for now
Abdul Kerbelker, executive manager of the Claremont Improvement District Company (CIDC), is equally optimistic about the proposed upgrades.
He says, from a business perspective, anything that brings the workforce safely and quickly into a business node is a fantastic thing.
“A business node doesn’t exist in a mythical space without workers. There is a need for people to be brought in quickly, and to do so while guaranteeing commuters’ safety and reliability (of transport modes).”
He says, together with upgrading the PTI, it would be prudent for other government departments, such as health, to invest in enhancing their services in the area.
“The Claremont Clinic, which is close by, could be enlarged so that more people can make use of the facilities and other government services could be located there. They could use the space a lot more.”
Kerbelker says there are already quite a few call centres in the area which provide many entry-level jobs.
“Employees rely on an efficient traffic service. When you have all these modes ending in one place, you need a comprehensive management plan.
“If we can keep it clean, well-managed and safe, it will enhance the business node.”
According to the City, if all goes to plan, work should commence in August 2024 with completion scheduled within two years.
“I encourage residents to please take a look at what we propose for this precinct, and to submit comments and proposals,” says Quintas.
A public information day will be held at Claremont Libraryon Tuesday 18 October from 14:00 to 18:00.
- The commenting period closes on 10 November. Comment via www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay or send an email to transport.info@capetown.gov.za
