How the MyCiTi expansion is creating jobs and boosting the metro-south east economy

The City’s massive MyCiTi expansion is reshaping the metro-south east and putting cash directly into residents’ pockets. Nearly 600 temporary jobs have been created in just two years, injecting R38,1 million into local households as construction rolls through Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Gugulethu and Lansdowne.

The Urban Mobility Directorate plans to spend R5,4 billion over the next three financial years to link commuters from Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha to Wynberg and Claremont with safe, reliable and affordable public transport.

“This is the biggest investment in public transport by any metro in South Africa to date,” said Mayco member for Urban Mobility Rob Quintas. “You can see the progress from Lansdowne to Gugulethu, from Philippi to Mandalay and Ikhwezi, to Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha.”

Quintas said the rollout was about more than red lanes and new stations. “This investment goes way beyond the red bus lanes, stations, stops, walking and cycle lanes, and upgrades to intersections and roads. It is an investment in people and communities, putting bread on the table for households across the metro-south east through temporary job opportunities for local jobseekers.”

He said the City was proud of the 594 temporary jobs created so far. “Over the past two years, these six MyCiTi projects have created a record 594 temporary work opportunities to the value of R38,1 million. We provide on-the-job training as part of the opportunity to work on the sites where we are busy building bridges, roads and stations that will be used by the MyCiTi buses once the service becomes operational.”

He credited teams across the city for pulling the work off. “This achievement is a testament to the collaboration of all involved in making this happen – from our project managers who are overseeing these projects, to the contractors, and the officials at our sub councils who manage the jobseekers’ databases.”

Construction will pause over the builders’ break and resume in January 2026. Quintas urged residents to sign up for the City’s jobseeker database. “I want to encourage residents to please register on the jobseeker’s database at your local sub council as this is the gateway to be considered for temporary work opportunities at projects happening in your ward,” he said.

He also thanked residents for bearing with the disruption. “I also want to thank commuters and residents from the metro-south east in particular, for their patience and ongoing support as we work to expand public transport and keep Capetonians moving.”

The six projects driving the job boom stretch across the south-east corridor, including Lansdowne’s Sky Circle and Turfhall Road upgrades, works in Gugulethu’s Heinz Road, construction in Philippi, projects in Mandalay and Ikwezi, and road improvements along AZ Berman Drive in Mitchells Plain.

Residents hoping for work on these sites must register with their local sub council. The City randomly selects candidates from the database, and contractors then choose workers from that list. Successful applicants will receive a text message and must respond within 24 hours.

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Cape Argus