Authorities are seriously considering a Cape Town congestion charge in the fight against worsening gridlock in the city. According to the INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard, Cape Town ranks seventh globally for congestion. This places it in the same company as some of most congested cities in the world – like New York, London, Los Angeles and Jakarta.
As such, a Cape Town congestion charge may not only reduce hours lost in traffic but improve productivity and boost the city’s coffers. Currently, Capetonians lose an average of 94 hours annually in traffic. This is more than double what residents of Tshwane lose (45 per year).
CAPE TOWN CONGESTION CHARGE
Therefore, traffic authorities are considering a Cape Town congestion charge, among several other measures, reports TopAuto. These were highlighted in the city’s draft Travel Demand Management (TDM) Strategy. Knock-on benefits of a Cape Town congestion charge will be increased use of public transport and active mobility.
Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, says the city wants to improve people’s travel time, health and the climate through reduced emissions. The draft TDM Strategy aims to implement the following measures:
- Public transport priority lanes for buses and minibus taxis.
- Dedicated walking and cycling lanes to support active mobility.
- Flexible work programmes to reduce peak-hour travel.
- Park-and-ride facilities, contingent on rail service restoration.
- Parking restrictions in the central business district (CBD) and other high-demand areas.
- High-occupancy toll lanes for vehicles with multiple passengers.
- Cape Town congestion charge for vehicles entering high-traffic zones during peak hours.
CAPE TOWN GOING CAR-FREE
Many of the proposed changes replicate European cities like Barcelona, London and Paris. By establishing car-free zones within the city, it will create a safe environment for walking and cycling. However, this can only be done if CBD traffic is diverted onto bypass roads. And reliable public transport systems are established as alternatives.
“The proposal is for vehicular traffic to travel around the Cape Town CBD. With access to peripheral parking areas before people reach their final destination on foot,” explained Quintas. Public comment on the introduction of a Cape Town congestion charge closes on Sunday 23 November 2025. Click HERE to have your say.
