Город Кейптауна готовит ужесточение правил парковки и введение выделенных полос для борьбы с пробками

City of Cape Town wants fewer cars on the road, but what will it take? Sara-Jayne Makwala King 12 August 2026 | 10:45 The City of Cape Town is looking at higher parking costs, improved public transport and carpooling lanes as it tries to tackle worsening traffic congestion. City centre of Cape Town, South Africa. Wikimedia Commons/Discott No, Cape Town is not introducing a congestion charge... yet. That's the word from the City’s MMC for Mobility, Rob Quintas, who has said the plans are still far from ready. “In terms of congestion, taxes and sort of any kind of monetary, punitive measures for bringing a vehicle in peak hours or even into the CBD at all, we are nowhere near ready in that," he told CapeTalk's John Maytham. Quintas explained that before any charge could be introduced, the City needed to ensure that public transport was a reliable alternative for commuters. "A lot of the stars need to be aligned perfectly before we can even consider this. And you know, we need to show public transport is working." Quintas was speaking after council approved the City’s revised Travel Demand Management strategy. The aim of it is to reduce traffic congestion in the CBD. The plan focuses on flexible work hours, fewer parking bays, higher peak parking tariffs, and priority lanes for public transport. It also wants to see more people out of single-occupant cars and onto public transport or into carpooling. “We currently have about 1.6 people per vehicle driving into the CBD every single day. So it's about encouraging people to start carpooling," said Quintas. ALSO READ: Cape Town ranked sixth most congested city in the world WC advised to follow examples of international cities to address CT’s traffic congestion crisis New traffic measures loom as Cape Town battles growing congestion Quintas said the City was also looking at changes to roads and intersections to help traffic move more efficiently. These could include additional lanes, extra turning lanes and changes to intersections in some of Cape Town’s busiest areas. “We're looking at various corridors that we are wanting to do... adding additional lanes, adding additional turns which are all going to be small, quicker wins that allow for traffic to move better.” He said the City was also looking at higher-occupancy vehicle lanes. Parking is another part of the plan, with the City looking at how parking availability and pricing could encourage people to consider other ways of getting around. Quintas said paid parking could help businesses by making sure parking spaces were available for customers, rather than being occupied for hours by commuters. "You must remember that the businesses that are there are one of the larger advocates for that paid parking because they are parking for their customers." He said the City’s approach was about offering incentives to change behaviour, while also enforcing the rules. "We're creating that incentive to move into the more shared or public form of transport." And enforcement is also part of the plans, with Quintas admitting there would be consequences for those motorists not following the rules. “I certainly think that enforcement is imperative in terms of upholding the rule of law.” He said motorists who ignored high-occupancy vehicle rules could face serious consequences, including having their vehicles impounded. “Driving in a high-occupancy lane in your one-person-occupied vehicle could result in your vehicle getting impounded.” And what about Quintas and the other City reps who are making these plans? Are members of the City’s Mayoral Committee actually carpooling themselves, asked one listener. Quintas said it was difficult because they lived across different parts of Cape Town, although some were already cycling or walking to work when they could. “I cycle in when weather and diary allow for me to do so, so a couple of us are doing that already.” Never miss a major story. Get breaking news and the latest developments from South Africa and beyond as they happen. Get the whole picture 💡 Take a look at the topic timeline for all related articles.