The City of Cape Town will be spending approximately R65 million on the construction of a new public transport interchange in Somerset West. This is the biggest public investment in the central business district in recent years, and residents are invited to attend the information sessions in January 2020 where officials will share the details. Read more below:
The new public transport interchange (PTI) will be constructed in the Somerset West CBD, and is designed for minibus-taxi operators, bus services, informal traders, and thousands of commuters.
Two open days will be hosted where residents, and interested and affected parties will have the opportunity to ask questions. The details are as follows:
- Dates: 22 and 23 January 2020
- Time: 15:00 to 18:00
- Venue: Somerset West Library Hall, 10 Victoria Street
The new PTI will be constructed on two sites abutting Church, Andries Pretorius and Victoria Streets. Together, the sites comprise approximately 12 000m² and will accommodate both minibus-taxi operators and the Golden Arrow Bus Service (GABS).
‘If all goes as planned, we should commence with construction in the latter part of 2020. We wanted to start earlier, but unfortunately there were some delays with the procurement process. Given the size of this project – we intend to spend approximately R65 million, and the duration – it will take at least two years to complete, we want to ensure that everything is order before we go ahead,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Alderman Felicity Purchase.
The construction will be done in phases to limit the inconvenience to all of those working, doing business, and commuting to and from the area.
The PTI will include new double story ablution facilities, an administration room for City officials, and an annexure room for operators for meetings, and so forth.
The waiting areas will be roofed, and once completed, the City’s Transport Directorate will manage the facility, inclusive of the provision of cleaning and security services.
‘City officials have hosted several meetings with interested and affected parties, among which minibus-taxi associations, informal traders, the local business forum, tenants, and the library services. They took the comments into consideration and made some changes to the initial design of the PTI. We are looking forward to the construction getting underway, and most importantly, to the investment that will go a long way in revitalising the Somerset West CBD area,’ said the local ward councillor, Alderman Stuart Pringle.
About 230 minibus-taxis will operate from the new PTI, serving 12 destinations: Lwandle, Macassar, Firgrove, Strand, Nomzamo, Sir Lowry’s Pass Town, Zola, Khayelitsha, Stellenbosch, Somerset West and surroundings, and Grabouw. GABS will also operate from the facility and will serve destinations such as Grabouw, Khayelitsha, Lwandle, Macassar, Firgrove, Nomzamo, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Stellenbosch, Strand and Zola.
‘We estimate that 9 500 commuters will make use of the PTI on any given weekday. This is a major project and will benefit the local community and businesses. Most importantly, we want to provide a safe, convenient, comfortable, and dignified space for the commuters and operators from the Somerset West area. I encourage the public to attend the information sessions in the new year and to use the opportunity to ask questions,’ said Alderman Purchase.