Peak-hour fees in the offing for Cape Town, as City considers new measures to manage traffic congestion

The City of Cape Town is looking at ways to address the increasing problem of traffic congestion, as the population and urban development expands.

The public is able to comment on the revised Travel Demand Management Strategy (TDMS) from the Urban Mobility Directorate until 13 November 2025.

Proposals to manage travel demand include infrastructure measures and voluntary measures like encouraging employers to support public transport use, cycling, walking, and carpooling.

Also on the table are pricing measures which would directly influence people’s travel choices by adjusting costs.

These include what the City calls 'Congestion Pricing Fees' which entails exploring ways to charge for driving in busy areas or at peak times, while encouraging public transport and shared trips.

The TDMS aims to:

• Promote sustainable travel modes and choices over constructing new infrastructure for private vehicles;
• Alleviate congestion and reduce travel times by decreasing the demand for car use during peak times, particularly for single-occupant vehicles; and
• Contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing car usage.

Once the revisions to the TDMS have been approved, says Rob Quintas (Mayco Member for Urban Mobility) they will develop a detailed implementation plan.

This will contain more information about the phasing of the strategy, the resources needed, monitoring and evaluation, and timelines.

How to comment:

• Send an email to UrbanMobility.CT@capetown.gov.za (quote reference 110252603)        
• Comment online at www.capetown.gov.za/collaborate or www.capetown.gov.za/collaborate 
• Submit written comments at your local subcouncil or City library

The draft revised TDMS is available on the City’s haveyoursay-page, and at subcouncils and City libraries.

Remember that the deadline for comment is 13 November.