Residents have until Thursday November 10 to share their comments on the City’s proposed upgrades and expansion of the existing Claremont Bus Station.
The City’s Mayoral committee member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas says the proposed upgrades and expansion of the existing bus terminus along Claremont Boulevard will revitalise this precinct with world-class public transport facilities.
He says the new MyCiTi station will be in the heart of Claremont, which is within walking distance of student accommodation, shopping malls and other amenities.
The proposed upgrades will take place along the Claremont Bus terminus along Claremont Boulevard, which is between Newry Street and Hawthorne Road.
Mr Quintas says the bus terminus will be expanded to include a new MyCiTi bus station within walking distance from the Claremont railway station and the minibus-taxi facility in Ralph Street.
“‘Once the upgrade has been completed and the new MyCiTi station is operational, commuters will have a choice of five different modes of public transport which includes the MyCiTi buses, Golden Arrow Bus Services, the UCT Shuttle, passenger rail, and minibus-taxis within a radius of less than 120m.”
He added: “The MyCiTi station will serve destinations in Khayelitsha and Mitchell’s Plain via the planned trunk route that is to connect the metro-south east with Wynberg and Claremont.”
The proposals for the upgraded Claremont Bus Station includes:
- The MyCiTi station will comprise of four enclosed platforms.
- The MyCiTi station precinct will include a ticket office, 10 electronic access gates, lock-up facilities for bicycles and ticket vending machines.
- All facilities and walkways will be universally accessible.
- The concept design includes an overhead concrete slab or deck which could accommodate a multi-storey building above the MyCiTi station for a future mixed use development in line with the City’s transit-oriented development strategic framework.
- A small bus holding facility will be located under the Stadium-on-Main for a maximum of five off-peak buses and driver shift changes.
- The Golden Arrow Bus Services(GABS) will operate from a dedicated bus lane along Central Street, as is currently the case.
- The UCT Shuttle Service will still operate from Central Street, at the Ground Floor entrance of the Stadium-on-Main.
- The planned upgrade includes the planting of trees and other landscaping which will benefit the surrounding area and pedestrian experience.
Mr Quintas says that mixed-used developments add to the vibrancy and efficiency of public transport precincts, and they are excited that the transit-oriented development principles are included in this proposal.
He says there will be proposed changes to the surrounding roads. They include that Claremont Boulevard will be upgraded with the addition of dedicated bus lanes to and from the bus facility.
The Stanhope Bridge will be realigned to ease access from Imam Haron Road and will include dedicated bus lanes and Palmyra Road will be realigned into a T-junction with Imam Haron Road.
Claremont Improvement District Company (CIDC) executive manager, Abdul Kerbelker says they have always been supportive of an integrated rapid transport system, which proposes to bring commuters into the Claremont CBD in a safe, quick and regularised form.
“This will ensure that retailers are being able to be visited and that people working in the commercial district coming from the South East are able to access Claremont safely,” he says.
Ward 59 councillor Mikhail Manuel says the MyCiti station will have a positive impact on the Claremont CBD. “I welcome the plan for the area as it will add value to public transport commuters and all users of the Claremont area,” he says.
Residents can submit their comments online by visiting www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay or they can email transport.info@capetown.gov.za
A public open day will also be held at Claremont library on Tuesday October 18, from 2pm until 6pm, where residents can find out more about the proposed upgrades of the Claremont Bus Station.
