Cape Town’s public transport is going electric, with the metro’s first battery-powered MyCiTi bus launched in Khayelitsha on Thursday.
The City has approved the manufacture of 38 electric buses.
The first of these buses is expected to enter service immediately.
The fleet will form part of the new MyCiTi expansion, serving more than 1.4 million residents in 30 neighbourhoods, including Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Wynberg and Claremont.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the electric buses will reduce dependence on diesel, cut operating costs and provide cleaner, more affordable public transport.
He said the buses are assembled in South Africa, creating local jobs while supporting the country’s growing new-energy vehicle industry.
“Over the next few months between now and March, another 37 will come. Then, as funding becomes available, we will start adding more and more of these buses into our fleet until eventually, in the coming years, our entire fleet will be electric buses.”
Hill-Lewis said expanding the electric bus fleet remains a priority.
He warns, however, that its future will depend on continued national funding, amid concerns of proposed cuts to Bus Rapid Transit funding that threaten the long-term expansion of the MyCiTi service.
Never miss a major story. Get breaking news and the latest developments from South Africa and beyond as they happen.
Trending News
- 10 hours ago
- 11 hours ago
- 13 hours ago
- 14 hours ago
- 14 hours ago
- 16 hours ago
- 17 hours ago
- 17 hours ago
- 17 hours ago
- 18 hours ago
- 18 hours ago
- 18 hours ago
More in Local
Walking for Jozi! Absa celebrates the people powering Johannesburg’s future
MPs mull over what should be included in Ad Hoc Committee draft report
- Parliament
- Parliament’s ad hoc committee
- Police Crisis
Madlanga Commission: Carrim’s postponement application to be heard in an open session
- Madlanga Commission of Inquiry
- Police Crisis
