The long wait for the return to operation of the MyCiTi N2 Express service finally came to an end on Saturday 19 February.
The move follows more than two years of negotiations to get the service back after it was halted in 2019. The City of Cape Town recently announced that the service will resume after reaching an agreement with operating partners, the N2 Company equally owned by Lisekhonikamva (Codeta) from Khayelitsha, Mitchell’s Plain Rapid Transit (Route Six from Mitchell’s Plain) and the Golden Arrow Bus Service (Gabs) (“MyCiTi buses to hit the road” City Vision 27 January).
On Saturday the buses returned to the affected routes, with the directors of the N2 Company, the municipal officials, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Rob Quintas, Mayco member for Urban Mobility embarking on a test run.
“We travelled from the Civic Centre station to Kuyasa in Khayelitsha and took our return trip from the Town Centre station in Mitchell’s Plain,” said Hill-Lewis.
Over 6 000 commuters travelled on the N2 Express daily before it was suspended.
Hill-Lewis said: “Today I want to say to these commuters; we are back, we are here to serve you and to make sure the service is efficient, on time, safe, and comfortable,” he said, thanking all those behind the resumption of the service.
Hill-Lewis believes a “functional, safe and affordable” public transport system is how they will grow the economy, connect people to job opportunities and improve the livelihoods.
“It is also how we create pride among residents. Capetonians trust the MyCiTi brand and the service. Equally, I can assure all that the N2 Company and its employees are dedicated and committed to run an efficient, professional service that runs on time, with friendly and helpful staff,” he assured.
Andile Khanyi, Codeta spokeperson, said the organisation welcomes MyCiTi’s return to service. “As things stand we are satisfied with the arrangements. The commuters should feel at ease to use any mode of transport as they like,” he said.
Khanyi encouraged commuters to use more public transport as they had luxury to choose from and lessen congestion on the road.
He also thanked the N2 Company. “I also want to reiterate my gratitude to City officials for their dedication and hard work leading up to the signing of the contract. Also, we are reintroducing the N2 Express service in three phases with more buses joining the fleet with each phase,” he said.
The intention is to add buses over the next four weeks as more commuters return and the demand for the service increases, said Hill-Lewis. He said they aim to have the whole fleet of 34 buses operational by Saturday 19 March.
The buses will travel to the Civic Centre station in the Cape Town CBD via the N2 freeway.