The story
Cape Town's MyCiTi Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service officially launched its first phase in May 2010, marking the beginning of a system designed to provide sustainable and integrated public transportation across the city. Initially, the routes connected areas such as Table View and the Cape Town Central Business District (CBD), with the network gradually expanding to include other parts of the city, such as Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain in 2014.
The South African national government's support for the BRT system was initially motivated by the need to meet public transport requirements for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, during which South Africa served as the host nation. The service was launched to facilitate efficient transportation to and from stadiums. Since then, the BRT has evolved into a key component of the city's integrated public transport network, aimed at promoting social and spatial equality while enhancing urban efficiency.
The first proper bus rapid transit (BRT) phase (Phase 1A) opened in May 2011. It includes a dedicated West Coast busway from the city centre through Milnerton to Table View, along which an express bus service operates. Connecting to this trunk route is a route in the City Bowl connecting Gardens, the Civic Centre bus station and the Waterfront, as well as three feeder services around Table View, Bloubergstrand and Parklands.
In 2012, the first MyCiTi began using its first custom-built 9-metre Optare Solo bus as part of its fleet. The bus was part of an order of 190 units, to be assembled in Epping by Busmark 2000, and used as feeder buses. The Optare Solo's shorter size allows it to maneuver easily in residential and dense city areas.
Major expansion of services occurred from late 2013. They include new routes around Table View and Parklands and links to: Century City via Racecourse Road and Omuramba roads; Montague Gardens along Koeberg Road; Killarney, Dunoon and Doornbach via Blaauwberg Road; Sunningdale and Sandown stations on the West Coast Road; Melkbosstrand; Atlantis, Mamre and Pella.
By 2015 MyCiTi provided a rapid bus service between Blouberg / Table View, Atlantis, Melkbosstrand, Dunoon, Milnerton, Paarden Eiland, Century City, Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain and Cape Town CBD. It also provided feeder services in most of the above areas as well as in Salt River, Walmer Estate, and all suburbs of the City Bowl and Atlantic Seaboard all the way to Llandudno and Hout Bay.
The MyCiTi bus service has also been extended to Cape Town's south-east, to Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain, called the N2 Express. It uses Bus and Minibus-taxi (BMT) lane on the N2 highway, which permits public transport vehicles to pass general traffic during the morning peak period.
In October 2018, MyCiTi added 120 000 scheduled kilometre through artificial troops on existing routes and some new routes. It also added more direct services which don't require transfers between different routes, as well as additional bus stops.
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In its 2023/2024 Annual Integrated Report, the City of Cape Town confirmed that R5.2 billion had been apportioned for expansion of the MyCiTi network over the following two years.
The most recent network expansion is Phase 2A, which is currently underway. This multi-year project aims to provide accessible public transit to more than 30 communities across Cape Town. It forms part of the City of Cape Town's R6.3 billion MyCiTi bus route development.
MyCiTi's second phase is the largest investment in public transit by any metro in South Africa in history.
Phase 2A includes the building of trunk roads along Govan Mbeki Road, using dedicated bus lanes to reduce travel times. This phase will also have open and closed stations in the middle of roads installed, as well as the installation of wider pedestrian walkways and cycling lanes installed along trunk roads.
Construction as part of Phase 2A commenced following extensive public participation. Preparation for a major depot to serve the neighborhoods of Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha has also begun.
Also as part of Phase 2A, in March 2025, construction of South Africa's first elevated circle will begin. This will be established at the intersection of Govan Mbeki Road (the M9) and Jan Smuts Drive (the M17) in Lansdowne, Cape Town. The Sky Circle will connect Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha with Wynberg and Claremont, will be built 6.2 meters above the ground, and will be for the exclusive use of MyCiTi buses.
In July 2025, the City of Cape Town announced that it had signed a procurement agreement for the MyCiTi fleet. 30 electric buses have been ordered from Volvo Bus Southern Africa, with initial deliveries scheduled for 2027. The City further stated that the size of the order may increase, subject to additional funding, and that a separate tender would be issued for installation of charging infrastructure for the new buses.
In October 2025, the City of Cape Town completed the construction of two new major MyCiTi bus depots. The R430 million facilities will house and maintain the new bus fleet for the upcoming MyCiTi Phase 2A expansion. Each of the new depots spans 7.5 hectares, with initial capacity for up to 145 buses, and space to expand to 250 (500 total) as the service grows.
The facilities also have fully functional mechanical workshops, refueling facilities, underground infrastructure for electric bus charging, automated bus-cleaning systems, driver's rest areas, and office space.
At the opening, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said, "The MyCiTi service expansion is one of the pillars of Cape Town’s record infrastructure investments, which amounts to R40 billion over the next three years, with 75% directly benefitting lower-income households".
In November 2025, it was reported that, from December of the same year, MyCiTi would begin upgrading its payment validator devices to support contactless transactions via NFC and QR codes. The new validators were aimed at offering more convenience to passengers and speeding up boarding times. The upgrades were part of a phased rollout, scheduled to complete in January 2026.
In April 2026, the City of Cape Town released its 2026/2027 budget, apportioning R3.3 billion towards further development of the MyCiTi network.
In April 2026, it was reported that MyCiTi would take delivery of its first electric bus in August that same year. The 12-meter long Volvo BZR bus would be part of a phased rollout of 30 units, with the goal of modernizing the MyCiTi fleet. This would also boost the local economy, as the bus bodies are manufactured in Johannesburg.
The buses will take part in a year-long trial along existing MyCiTi routes before being put into service. The test, in partnership with the University of Cape Town, and with funding from the Urban Electric Mobility Initiative (UEMI), will gauge the buses' perform across different routes, battery life across various passenger capacities, and climate impact on efficiency and charging. Following a successful pilot, the e-bus fleet is expected to roll out across multiple MyCiTi routes in 2027.
In June 2026, a progress update eight months after site handover confirmed that 583 concrete piles forming the foundation of the new Claremont MyCiTi BRT station were complete. The team was therefore moving on to the next stage of building the ground floor level. The station, built on the site of the old bus terminus along Claremont Boulevard, will also accommodate Golden Arrow and University of Cape Town (UCT) buses. City of Cape Town MayCo member Rob Quintas said that once the station is complete, Claremont would be one of Cape Town's most connected and integrated transport hubs.
In July 2026, MyCiTi announced that the first of its fully electric buses had started road tests. The Volvo BZRLE bus would serve as a prototype, being tested across a variety of routes, and would reportedly result in an up to 70% reduction in operating costs compared to existing fuel-powered buses. The City of Cape Town confirmed that the e-bus fleet would officially start rolling out by 1 July 2027.
From Wikipedia’s article on MyCiTi, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4