Eight months since the site handover, the City’s Urban Mobility Directorate is pleased to announce that the construction of the new MyCiTi bus station in Claremont is progressing well with the installation of 583 concrete piles now being complete. The piling forms the foundation on which the station building and future overhead development will be supported. This project forms part of the MyCiTi bus service expansion that will connect Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha with Claremont and Wynberg, and includes green technologies to improve resource efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.

The old bus terminus along Claremont Boulevard, between Hawthorne Road and Newry Street, has been demolished and removed, and the construction of a new MyCiTi bus station is now under way in the heart of Claremont within walking distance from the Claremont railway station and the minibus-taxi facility in Ralph Street.

Once complete, the new bus terminus will accommodate not only the MyCiTi bus service, but also Golden Arrow Bus Service (GABS) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) shuttle service for students.

‘There is incredible progress happening at the MyCiTi bus station construction site in Claremont. Teams are busy capping the 583 massive concrete piles that form the station foundation, and have started concrete casting for the lifts, stairwells and columns on the ground floor. The stormwater pipe installation along Claremont Boulevard will be the next real challenge; working meters underground next to a busy road with existing services in the way is no small thing. But our teams know what they are doing and I have tremendous faith in them,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

This site is located on very high-value land.

‘Thus, we designed a MyCiTi station that can grow upwards – up to about ten storeys of mixed-use development, boosting the vibrancy and efficiency of this public transport precinct. By applying the principles of transit-oriented development, we are fostering future investment and ensuring this prime real estate is not sterlised,’ said Councillor Qunitas.

The new station design incorporates a range of green elements:

• Occupancy sensors and daylight-responsive lighting controls to optimise energy consumption
• Energy-efficient LED lighting
• Water-efficient sanitary fittings to reduce water consumption
• Durable, low-maintenance materials to extend the lifespan of the station components
• Solar photovoltaic panels and lithium battery backup systems to support renewable energy generation
• Indigenous and water-wise plant species as part of the landscaping to reduce irrigation needs and supporting local biodiversity

The construction project is also focused on energy efficiency and reducing the impact on the environment, for example:

• Construction waste is separated into heavy and commercial waste streams and transported to accredited recycling facilities
• Excavated material suitable for reuse is retained for backfilling purposes and surplus excavated material transported to facilities where it can be reused
• Materials such as steel and cement are locally sourced as far as possible to reduce transportation and carbon emissions
• Dust suppression is implemented to reduce the impact on surrounding communities and properties
• Existing infrastructure and materials are reused, for example, the existing shelter structures will be refurbished and incorporated into the upgraded station; and the old paving and operational CCTV equipment will be repurposed at other City facilities
• Digital coordination, documentation and review processes are applied to reduce paper consumption

The bus terminus from where GABS and the UCT Shuttle service were operating will be upgraded as part of the roll-out of the MyCiTi service to Wynberg and Claremont.

‘This precinct is set to become one of Cape Town’s most connected and integrated transport hubs. Commuters will have access to five different public transport options: MyCiTi, Golden Arrow, the UCT Shuttle, rail, and minibus-taxis, all within a 120-metre footprint. Transferring between different public transport modes will be easy and efficient, whether heading to the metro south-east along the MyCiTi trunk route or on to Cape Town by train, taxi or bus.

‘This is the result of deliberate, integrated planning, and it will change the daily experience of everyone who moves through Claremont,’ said Councillor Quintas.

The new bus facility along Claremont Boulevard includes:

• A MyCiTi bus station with four enclosed platforms, electronic access gates, lock-up facilities for bicycles
• Universally accessible facilities for pedestrians with special needs
• An overhead concrete slab or deck which could accommodate a multi-storey building above the MyCiTi bus station for a future mixed-use development in line with the City’s transit-oriented development strategic framework
• A small bus holding facility under the Stadium-on-Main for a maximum of five off-peak buses and driver shift changes
• A dedicated bus lane along Central Street for GABS buses
• UCT Shuttle Service operating from Central Street, at the Ground Floor entrance of the Stadium-on-Main
• New trees and other landscaping, and retaining existing mature trees as far as possible

‘We are bringing the MyCiTi bus service to Claremont as part of our commitment to giving more Capetonians access to safe, affordable, dignified, and reliable public transport. Apart from adding to our public transport offering and improving the wider Claremont public transport interchange, the surrounding area is also benefitting from this investment in the roads in the immediate vicinity, such as Claremont Boulevard, the Stanhope Bridge, Imam Haron Road and Palmyra Road. And on this note, I also want to sincerely thank the local community and residents for their ongoing support and patience with the roadworks while we are committed to deliver on a project to keep Capetonians moving,’ said Councillor Quintas.

If all goes as planned, the Claremont MyCiTi bus station should be operational by March 2028.