MyCiTi

MyCiti is a bus rapid transit service in Cape Town, South Africa. Operating with feeders, it forms part of a greater Integrated Public Transport driven economic development strategy of the City of Cape Town (CoCT) Metropolitan Municipality in the Western Cape province.^[3][4]

MyCiTi

Parent	City of Cape Town
Founded	2010
Locale	Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Service type	Bus rapid transit
Routes	36[1]
Fleet	Optare Solo Volvo BZRLE
Annual ridership	19,335,446 (FY 2023/24)[2]
Website	myciti.org.za

MyCiTi bus in the Foreshore, Cape Town

Interior of a MyCiti bus station at the V&A Waterfront

MyCiTi Optare Solo bus in a bus lane in the Foreshore, Cape Town

The MyCiTi station in Adderley Street

The service is actively being rolled out across Cape Town, and currently provides public transport in about 10% of the city. MyCiTi commenced in 2010 with Phase 1, which features buses running north to south, along Cape Town's western coastline.

In November 2015 approximately 60,000 daily passenger journeys were made on the MyCiTi service, on 36 routes, using 42 bus stations and more than 600 bus stops, in about 223 peak buses.^[1][5]

Headway of services (i.e., the time between buses on the same route) ranges from 3 minutes to 20 minutes during peak times. It can be up to 60 minutes during quiet, off-peak periods.

History

MyCiTi began operations in May 2010, shortly before the 2010 FIFA World Cup, providing a shuttle service from the Civic Centre (where a new bus terminus was constructed) to Cape Town International Airport.^{[citation needed]} It also included a temporary loop around the City Bowl for the duration of the World Cup.

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.^[6]

Major expansion of services occurred from late 2013.^{[citation needed]} 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.^[7][8]

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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[9] It forms part of the City of Cape Town's R6.3 billion MyCiTi bus route development.^[10]

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.^[9]

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.^[11]

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.^[12]

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.^[13]

Phase 1A

The Blaauwberg–Dunoon–Atlantis corridor was prioritized due to its severe traffic congestion, which was expected to worsen with future development. This area faced some of the highest congestion levels in the city, making it a critical focus for intervention.

Key factors influencing the decision to prioritize this corridor included the fact that while minibus taxis are one of Cape Town's most popular modes of transport, their presence within this corridor was limited. This shortage made commuting in and out of the area increasingly challenging, forcing many residents to rely on private vehicles, which further exacerbated traffic congestion.

This corridor also included a potential to attract a larger catchment of commuters who might otherwise rely on private vehicles thereby reducing congestion and promoting the use of public transport. Additionally, the limited presence of minibus taxi operators in the area offered a more controlled environment to implement and evaluate new transport solutions and strategies, making it an ideal setting for testing the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed transportation intervention.

Structure

MyCiTi Bus Network: Coverage and Structure

The MyCiTi BRT system provides a growing network of efficient, safe, and reliable public transport. Initially launched to serve the West Coast corridor, the network has expanded significantly to cover key areas across the city, catering to commuters, tourists, and residents alike.

West Coast Corridor

The service uses high floor articulated and standard size buses in dedicated bus lanes; low floor articulated and standard size buses on the N2 Express service; and smaller, 9m Optare buses in suburban areas and the CBD.

The MyCiTi fleet offers universal access through level boarding and numerous other measures.

Station artwork

Main article: MyCiTi bus stations

In October 2010 the City of Cape Town put out a call for proposals for artists and designers to create artwork on the glass panels at the entrance of the MyCiTi stations.^[14]

Payments

MyCiTi buses require cashless fare payment using the EMV compliant smart card system, called myconnect. These cards can be bought from MyCiTi stations, or at participating retailers. They can then be loaded at stations, participating retailers, and ABSA ATMs.^[15]

Riders can also buy disposable, single-use cards. Children under 4 years of age can travel for free on MyCiTi buses.^[15]