Funding uncertainty clouds MyCiTi Phase 2A plans for Mitchells Plain
The City of Cape Town has warned that proposed reductions to the Public Transport Network Grant (PTNG-BFI) — and the possibility that the grant could be phased out altogether — create a real risk that planned MyCiTi expansion serving Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain will be delayed or scaled back.
Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility Rob Quintas told reporters the City’s current allocation of approximately R7.1 billion for MyCiTi Phase 2A is secure only until June 2028. Beyond that date, he said, the proposed reductions and the potential discontinuation of the grant have produced “significant uncertainty” over the long-term funding needed to complete corridor expansion, supporting infrastructure and operational growth.
Quintas said the City still has R2.5 billion available across the 2026/27 and 2027/28 financial years, but stressed that public transport projects require stable, predictable funding because of their long-term nature.
“The broader reductions to PTNG funding and the proposed discontinuation of the grant thereafter create significant uncertainty regarding the long‑term sustainability and expansion of the system,” Quintas said, according to reporting.
What Phase 2A would deliver for local commuters
Phase 2A — sometimes referred to as the MSEC project — is intended to improve scheduled, integrated connections between communities and economic centres. In practical terms for Mitchells Plain residents, the project aims to link Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain with Wynberg and Claremont, improving direct public transport options and journey reliability.
- Existing allocation: R7.1 billion for Phase 2A, funded until June 2028.
- Immediate funding available: R2.5 billion across 2026/27 and 2027/28.
- Risk: no clearly guaranteed funding framework beyond June 2028 if PTNG is cut or discontinued.
Implications for planning and operations
The City cautioned that without long-term funding certainty, the pace and scale of future MyCiTi expansion could be delayed, affecting not only new corridor construction but also fleet expansion and replacement, depot and interchange development, and the completion of Integrated Public Transport Network plans.
Public transport infrastructure projects typically span multiple years and require phased capital expenditure followed by ongoing operational funding. The City’s concerns highlight the tension between short-term budget adjustments at national level and the predictable financing municipalities need to commit to large transport projects.
| Funding item | Amount | Period covered |
|---|---|---|
| MyCiTi Phase 2A allocation | R7.1 billion | Until June 2028 |
| Available across 2026/27–2027/28 | R2.5 billion | 2026/27–2027/28 |
Local consequences and next steps
For Mitchells Plain commuters the uncertainty could mean delayed access to faster, more reliable MyCiTi services and fewer direct links to economic hubs such as Claremont and Wynberg. Projects that aim to reduce travel time and improve integration between modes may be reprioritised or slowed if long-term national funding is reduced.
The concerns were raised publicly ahead of the national budget speech, when the City said it expected clarity on future allocations. The outcome will determine whether the municipality must identify alternative funding models or scale back planned works.
For now, the City emphasises its commitment to expanding MyCiTi, but its officials warn that real progress will depend on stable grant funding beyond the current allocation period.
