The City of Cape Town’s Transport and Urban Development Authority (TDA) has commenced with the preparatory work for the construction of two MyCiTi bus depots in Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha. These depots form part of the roll-out of Phase 2A of the MyCiTi bus service which will serve 1,4 million commuters from the Metro South-east.
The site for the two new bus depots is approximately 15 ha and is located on the corner of Mew Way and Spine Road, bordering both Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha.
The purpose of the enabling works – among which major internal earthworks, perimeter fencing to secure the site, bulk services for the provision of water, sanitation, and electricity, as well as the upgrade of surrounding roads – is to prepare the site for the construction of the MyCiTi bus depots from where the vehicle operating companies will operate the service.
‘The enabling works contract is valued at approximately R73 million. We are currently busy with the design of the depot facilities which will consist of storage, parking, and fuelling facilities for the buses; office buildings, facilities for the personnel, and so forth,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport and Urban Development, Councillor Brett Herron.
The local community from Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha will benefit immensely from this investment.
‘Apart from the job opportunities and business opportunities to local residents and subcontractors, the roll-out of Phase 2A of the MyCiTi service will provide commuters from the area with an affordable, decent, and scheduled public transport service to Wynberg and Claremont,’ said Councillor Herron.
All City-related contracts require that the contractor provides temporary employment opportunities to local residents; and also that the contractor subcontracts services and goods from local businesses as far as possible.
‘In terms of this contract for the enabling works for the construction of two new MyCiTi depots at this site, the contractor is obliged to provide temporary employment opportunities to local residents to the value of 3% of the contract – thus, approximately R2,1 million,’ said Councillor Herron.
Also, the contractor is obliged to subcontract services and goods from local businesses amounting to 2% of the contract value, which in this case equals approximately R1,46 million.
‘Thus, there will be local job and enterprise opportunities during the current enabling works contract; for the future construction phase of the bus depots; as well as during the future depot operations. Job seekers are sourced from the local subcouncil database, so I encourage all residents seeking employment to please ensure that they are registered with the local subcouncil so that they can benefit from these opportunities. As for local subcontractors, the contractor will advertise for the goods and services, and local businesses will then have the opportunity to tender for the provision of the goods and services,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Area East, Councillor Anda Ntsodo.
In the meantime, the TDA is commencing with the development of a Breaking New Ground (BNG) State-subsidised housing project in the vicinity of Lookout Hill, south of the False Bay College.
‘We will build 327 BNG houses on this site. The plans for the development have been approved. Also, the tender process for the appointment of a building contractor is underway. We hope to conclude this process by the end of the year so that the contractor can start with the building work as soon as possible,’ said Councillor Herron.
‘The City will host open days in the last week of August to inform the community about the project, employment opportunities, and so forth. More details will be announced closer to the time and we are looking forward to meeting with the residents and local businesses about this exciting project,’ said Councillor Ntsodo.