Cape Town Considers BRT

As the country prepares for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, officials in Cape Town, South Africa, are considering plans for a citywide bus rapid transit system. BRT pioneer Enrique Penalosa was recently in town to stump for transit.

1 minute read

August 20, 2008, 10:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"Building more roads and widening existing ones will never solve Cape Town's traffic crisis, a leading international expert advising the city on a bus rapid public transport plan, has warned."

"Stronger political decisions will have to be taken to reduce the number of cars on the city's roads, says former Bogota mayor, Enrique Penalosa."

"'There is no such thing as a natural level of car use. The number of cars used in the city is a political decision. Traffic problems don't come from more cars, they come from more roads,' he said."

"On Wednesday, the city's mayoral committee is expected to consider proposals for the implementation of the BRT system for three routes at a cost of R1,3-billion, to be completed by March 2010."

Tuesday, August 19, 2008 in The Independent Online

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 23, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

An Airo train driving towards the camera on a track. There is a forest behind it.

Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet

Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.

September 22, 2026 - Washington State Standard

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks with both hands half-raised. Two American flags, and the flag of California, are behind him.

California lawmakers approve just 5% of much-needed LA28 transportation funding

State legislators appear just as unwilling as Trump to pay for Olympics-related transportation projects.

30 minutes ago - LA Times

People navigate an underground subway system in New York City.

MTA looks to bring AI-assisted, multilingual announcement system to subways

Some of the transit agency’s audio systems haven’t been upgraded in 40 years.

1 hour ago - Gothamist

A MetroLift car driving over a crosswalk on a clear, sunny day.

Houston Metro makes on-demand rideshare pilot a permanent part of its network

The transit agency is launching upgrades to three of its on-demand services.

2 hours ago - Mass Transit

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design