The document discusses Cape Town's transport vision under Councillor Brett Herron, highlighting the MyCiTi public transport system's growth and challenges since its launch in 2010. It addresses opposition from certain communities regarding new routes and infrastructure, emphasizing the need for effective communication and public engagement. The document concludes with a call for public authorities to prioritize social and economic development that benefits a wide range of residents.

1. NIMBYism
and the transport vision
Councillor Brett Herron,
Mayoral Committee Member:
Transport for Cape Town
July 2016
Southern African Transport Conference

2. Cape Town’s transport vision
• Priority for public transport
• Integration between modes
• Reducing the cost of the user access priority

3. About MyCiTi
• Launched in 2010 for Soccer World Cup

4. About MyCiTi
• First commuter services in 2011

5. About MyCiTi
• Combination of BRT with dedicated lanes and closed stations, and buses
operating in mixed traffic with kerbside stops
• 42 closed stations
• 350 pairs of stops

6. About MyCiTi
• 44 routes
• 40 million + passenger
journeys to date
• In July 2013 – 283 048
passenger journeys made
• In May 2016 – 1 712 960
passenger journeys made

7. About MyCiTi
• Phase 1 completed
• Planning for Phase 2 underway
• R6 billion investment (TBC)

8. MyCiTi Phase 1
A growing network of services and routes

9. Support and opposition for new public transport
• Enthusiasm as well as opposition
• Vocal minority opposed
• Issues include
• Costs and debate about public
investment
• Concern about minibus taxi
industry in the system;
• Sequencing of the roll out; and
• Location of infrastructure,
amongst other issues.
• Range of concerns based on diverse
vested interests

10. Early opponents
• Flamingo Vlei
• Vigorous opposition
• Route planned for the
area withdrawn
• Now area markets itself as
being on the system

11. Opposition to stops and routes in privileged areas
• Location of stops and the choice of roads for bus routes is often contentious
• Communication is key

12. Tackling opposition to stops and routes
• Explain proposed routes and locations of stops and station
• Use the media and direct communication
• Hold public meetings and public information sessions
• Make the experts available to the public

13. Communicate about construction
• Tell affected parties to expect
construction
• Communicate start and finish
dates
• Acknowledge the inconvenience
• Present the trade offs and the
benefits

14. Priority for public transport
• Peninsula stops
• Removal of parking

24. Change in tone as system launches
• Media coverage becomes more positive

29. Phase 2: Planning a better city
• Reversing Apartheid legacy and urban sprawl
• Improving the urban landscape, encouraging Transit
Oriented Development
• Opposition from privileged communities

31. South Road – the ‘missing’ link
• Proposal for new rail underpass using existing road scheme

32. Brodie and Main couplet proposal

33. The South Road road scheme
• Road scheme approved in 1974
• One of 111 approved schemes across the city
• 368 council owned properties are in road schemes
• Road schemes support economic development and spatial planning
objectives as the city grows
• Process halted due to legal challenge

34. The phase 2 NIMBY challenge
• Dozens of public meetings with communities along the new routes
• Overwhelming support articulated for phase 2 by users of public transport
• Major opposition in Wynberg from private car users and privileged
• Objection to South Road underpass and couplet
• Vested interests continue to halt a plan that will link the formerly white
portion of Wynberg with people of the metro south east
• A handful of privileged households vs the interests of thousands denied
access to opportunity because of apartheid spatial planning

42. Conclusion
• Anticipate kneejerk Nimbyism
• Look for opportunities to build on the common ground that exists
• Ongoing communication is key
• Set aside time to engage with communities and stakeholders
• Those who shout the loudest may not be right
• The vulnerable, the poor and the marginal may not be heard above the more
loudly articulated needs and wants of those with vested interests and
resources
• Public authorities need to act in the public interest and in support of social
and economic development that benefit a broad cross section and creates
new opportunities in our society

43. Thank you