The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Councillor Rob Quintas, visited the Woodbridge area in Milnerton earlier today to gain firsthand experience of the bus service’s accessibility as well as the way non-motorised facilities in the vicinity link up with the MyCiti station.
Universal accessibility is a key component of the MyCiTi service offering while the greater use of public transport, together with non-motorised transport activities such as walking and cycling, is pivotal in reducing traffic congestion. The Milnerton area is a good example of how these elements come together: the Woodbridge MyCiTi station and surrounding feeder bus stops join with a network of cycling paths and upgraded pedestrian walkways that connect with the bus route.
The feeder bus routes and network in the surrounding areas connect residents from Summer Greens, Joe Slovo and Phoenix with the Woodbridge station, which is included on the express bus route to commercial areas such as Woodstock and the Cape Town CBD. In essence, the stop nearest to these residents gives them access to the whole MyCiTi system, which allows commuters to travel anywhere by transferring from one route to another.
Many cyclists and pedestrians are using the special non-motorised transport lane in the area to connect to the Woodbridge MyCiTi station because of its central location and the fact that commuters may take their bicycles on board. The dedicated cycle path along this route stretches from Table View to central Cape Town, providing a link to the city’s growing NMT network.
‘During my visit this afternoon, I experienced the convenience of the NMT facilities in the area and saw how easy it is to switch from one mode of transport to the other. I cycled and then I took my bicycle on the bus. I was also impressed with how punctual the feeder and express buses are, which is critical in providing a truly efficient, reliable and universally accessible mode of transport to areas surrounding this central location,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Councillor Rob Quintas.
The bus service is universally accessible – from the buses to the stations to ensure that all special needs passengers including the elderly and pregnant women and young children can get onto the bus. Passengers with luggage, including suitcases, surfboards, prams and bicycles are also welcome on the MyCiTi buses.
Bicycles can be carried free of charge, as long as they are stored safely and securely and do not inconvenience other passengers. All bicycles must be kept in the designated space on the bus, next to the wheelchair area.
The universal access facilities include the following:
- Tactile paving to help the visually impaired locate stations and platforms
- Induction loops at ticket kiosks for the hearing impaired
- All stations also make use of wide access gates to accommodate wheelchairs, bicycles and luggage.
‘What stood out to me is that all the feeder buses also have boarding bridges, which provide passengers with level access onto the buses from their bus stops in the residential areas if required,’ said Councillor Quintas.
Residents from surrounding areas such as Summer Greens and Joe Slovo can make use of the 260 and 262 feeder routes to access the Woodbridge MyCiTi station.
Source: City Of Cape Town
