The City of Cape Town is expected to invest around R65 million in developing Somerset West’s public transport interchange (PTI), which will benefit commuters, pedestrians, public transportation operators, and traders.
On weekdays, the PTI is likely to see around 1000 passengers. The PTI will be built on two separate sites in the Somerset West CBD, one behind the Town Hall and near Shoprite. It is intended for minibus-taxi companies, bus companies, street vendors, and thousands of commuters. If all goes according to plan, construction will begin by the end of November 2021.
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According to a statement released by the city on Wednesday, residents, interested parties, and those who the Somerset West’s public transport interchange development will impact are invited to an open house on November 5, when authorities will give information on how the project will influence the surrounding neighbourhood. In many years, the new PTI has been the most significant governmental investment in Somerset West’s central business centre.
Improving Transportation Services
The new PTI will have two locations on Church Street and the other on Andries Pretorius and Victoria Streets. It will be around 4 000m2 in total, including space for both minibus taxis and the Golden Arrow Bus Service.
The work will be done in stages to minimize the disruption to commuters and people who work and do business in the vicinity.
The Somerset West’s public transport interchange will get a new annexure facility where operators may have meetings. A restroom will be located on the lower level of the two-story construction. Commuters will be shielded from the sun, rain, and wind in covered waiting areas and house informal traders.
Green building components such as rainwater collection, solar panels, permeable pavement, and LED lighting will be used in the construction. All of the city’s initiatives contain green features to make our infrastructure more robust and ecologically friendly in light of climate change and our commitment to environmental sustainability.
This initiative will assist pedestrians and road users in general. All of the new pedestrian lanes will be universally accessible for persons with special needs, featuring lowered kerbs and tactile pavement. The improvements to Church Street will make it more pedestrian-friendly and increase overall traffic safety.
In addition, the improvements will enhance traffic flow in the area.
Ward councillor Stuart Pringle stated that city authorities had held several discussions with interested and impacted parties, including minibus and taxi groups, informal merchants, the local business forum, renters, and library services.
Lwandle, Macassar, Firgrove, Strand, Nomzamo, Sir Lowry’s Pass Town, Zola, Khayelitsha, Stellenbosch, Somerset West and surrounds, and Grabouw will all be served by about 300 minibus taxis from the new PTI. The building will also be home to the Golden Arrow Bus Service.
On weekdays, it is expected that roughly 1000 commuters will utilize the PTI. This is a significant initiative that will help the community and companies in the area. It will give commuters and operators from the Somerset West neighbourhood a secure, convenient, pleasant, and dignified location.
