http://www.wheels24.co.za/Images/Photos/20050331171513Monorail-400.jpg



The monorail is planned to be built along the infamous Otto du Plessis Road between Table View and Cape Town to ease traffic congestion that sometimes reaches crisis proportions.

This is the news from Cape Town City planners who revealed to Wheels24 that the proposal is at an advanced exploratory stage.

Engineers have examined a feasibility study prepared by Japanese consultants Mono-rail Inc., based on a successful system installed in Tokyo.

It is planned that the monorail will be built on the central division of the current dual carriageway system between Table View and the city, and that it will run on two levels. The top level will be for out-bound passengers, and the bottom level for in-bound.

The current traffic density on Otto du Plessis reaches crisis levels during rush hour, with the 20 km section taking as long as two hours at times.

However, with new houses being built in the Parklands suburb at the rate of approximately 1 000 a month, and the council aiming for a total density of 250 000 homes by 2010, total gridlock will occur soon unless drastic measures are taken.

Hovercraft

A proposal to start a hovercraft service between Blouberg Strand and Cape Town is not likely to provide any relief as winter storms would prevent it from being operative much of the year.

And at the cost of R60 a trip, it would be out of the reach of daily commuters.

However, city engineers' department spokesman Sakkie Larney revealed that monorail fares would be kept at acceptable levels.

"We propose that, if necessary, fares will be subsidised to allow commuters to travel between Table View and Cape Town at considerably less cost than it currently costs them to use their own cars.

"Once in town a shuttle system would enable them to get to their offices.

"At the same time we would introduce a car tax, in much the same way as that in London, where motorists would pay considerably extra to use their cars on this route, or would be forced to share a car with friends or neighbours.

"There will be an initial traffic disturbance while the new system is being built, but, again, we would encourage people to share cars to cut down on the number of cars using the road".

The monorail is expected to be in operation within five years. However, Larney refused to reveal the cost.

"This has not yet been finalised, and it would be unfair to tell you that at this stage," he said.

Larney added that the system could possibly be applied to other areas of the city, and that interest had been shown by town planners in Johannesburg and Durban.

Any one know any more news about this?

Awesome, a monorail would suit perfectly with Cape Town!!!! A monorail is very classy, just like CT! lol

pipe dream, never happen. There is not a culture of either heavy rail or public transport use amongst the middle class in South Africa as private cars are cheap by world standards, so we can expect more congestion as the roads in SA have ben long neglected

have to agree, sadly, that this is a pipe dream. That or it'll happen after much misappropriation of funds and generally bad news coverage in south africa's stunning variety of newpapers. Hoorah.

yeah but i have to agree with ya on the bad news coverage by some of our newspapers especially when i come across news and updates before they appear in local newspapers...especially when it comes to a plan or idea for cape town they usually wait for some press release before they move their asses...

and, let's not forget the fact that quite a lot of CPT will be covered by water in the next few decades due to global warming....... i don't think it is a good idea.......

oh I forgot about that, Id better sell my places in CT quick stix and buy in Bloem!

haha freestate that place will be as dry as hell .....just like in durbs a monorail just wouldn't work

ha ha, very funny. but one day when your old and the sea-level did keep on rising as it is now, and you're thinking back to the days when Cape Town had wet winters and green lush vegetation all over......... do remember these lines i wrote as you dry your tears. do yourself a favour, even if its just for your own amusement, and read up some more about how our planet is dying, and, at what an alarming rate it is happening...............

i have and it sacres me for my children. Might get a place in Katmandu that will sort the rising waters out

lekker!! any chance of my place in pinelands becoming the next camps bay or blouberg strand?? but guys im also into this global warming thing it would be wise to listen to waltjie think hollands would be the hardest hit ! in terms of sa bloem would become the next karoo marginal land bleh!!

Or you COULD go to SOuth Africas mile-high city..........Johannesburg :)

.....didn't think of that right everyone pack our mostly dense city in the smallest province...but to answer all your question who watched THE DAY AFTER TOMMORROW south africa was on the map and it indicated that i wasn't affected by the storm Haha lol worries guys :)

South Africa's weather-change-deflecting luck, or Hollywood's ignorance? Woops, we're making this sound like a new Shebeen thread poor monorail ;)

ya think we've gone way of topic with this one sooo monorail eh?....

They say that the traffic has reached crisis levels. So if it is as abd as it sounds, they will soon have to do something, if not a monorail.

What is the problem with underground in CT? Is it possible to build one?

Or make it like Venice, bring more water to the V&A :D and then start using boats

I'm sure physichally its possible to build an underground......however I dont know whether its feasible RIGHT NOW. Maybe in the future........

I'm sure physichally its possible to build an underground......however I dont know whether its feasible RIGHT NOW. Maybe in the future........

i think once the trains and taxi get better almost everyone will be taking them, and that will stop a lot of taffic. Is there a rail along the route that is so bad?

How bad is traffic in CT anyway....I know in Johannesburg its horrible (ABQ too). Is most of the congestion in the Bowl/Greenpoint type areas? Or the suburbs? Well CT (Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria too) def. need some sort of public transport system.....but its useless to chase white rabbits (or elephants rather). But traffic in some of these cities is so horrendous.

Ohh traffic between Joburg and Pretoria is horrible!!!!! especially when you get to Midrand!!! The good thing is that N! is an excellent highway

Traffic in CT is ok. Normal i would think compared to other 3mil cities. THe traffic is worse coming in from suburbs than in the actual CBD area. I have been told that the southern suburbs is bad at rush our. And i know the N1 between paarl and cape town in the moring If you leave at 7am, youll get to the outskirts of the CBD by about 8:30-9:00. (its about 40-50km). dont know if thats bad or what?but paarl has 170 000 people i believe. so from the areas like michelles plain, and such, id think it would be terrible. How come we dont have those electric boards overhead, like england?

Well normally that would be considered big-city traffic.....though I am curious how traffic is from Nyanga, Cape Flats, Khayelitsha? And it has to be packed from Blouberg-Brooklyn.

Im not sure. Those areas are obviously poorer, so many people ur taxis, trains, and buses. but they have wide roads in those areas.

IF your child is learning to talk, then when she/he ask you about the meaning of rumour, you must make her read this thread or ano other CT transport thread. May be it will be simple to explain failure to them using this thread.

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/3903/huhyp4.png

lol!!! Just kidding, but the CT managers are so irritating, Imean there are lots of tourists going there and the haven't got transport infrastructure for them.

i wouldnt call cape towns transport a failure...cape town is very good at planning and should get some kind of planning award, failure to implement is its problem, im not suprised considering we had nomainda in charge...i do belive helen zille is and will make a difference,she is already busy cutting through the red tape of providing houses, not her assitant or lawyers but she is doing this herself...once the city's central transport authority is up and running i do think we will see more action...

Pule, I think Cape Town's public transport is certainly one of the best in the country, in terms of reach. Sure, Joburg has got more modern buses (about 200 of them), but you can get almost anywhere by either bus or train here and our rail system is more efficient and expansive than yours, for the size of the metro at least. I also think it makes more sense to invest in cheaper ways of transport, than in something like Gautrain, which will not be a mass transit system for the working classes. So we should probably all watch this space.

Coming back to the monorail issue: I don't think this will happen here. The city has prioritised both Otto Du Plessis and Marine Drive as Bus corridors, so we won't see a monorail happen here.

I will always champion Metrorail and SARCC and hope for the expansion of existing services. To me, that just makes most sense from a capacity and environmental point of view.

pipe dream, never happen. There is not a culture of either heavy rail or public transport use amongst the middle class in South Africa as private cars are cheap by world standards, so we can expect more congestion as the roads in SA have ben long neglected
Awesome news, but its sceptics like yourself that will bring this idea down , before it has even started. What the hell do you people want. Start changing your own minds before thinking for other people.

Maybe a tramway would be a better idea... monorails are more expensive just to serve the same purpose.

the idea is to get things off the road, and not cram them further with these creepy crawlers. A Tramway would be more suitable for the city bowl.

I also think that Trams will make it. The are too most important things, to move people conviniently and the costs. It was good of Durban to go for Trams.

Would you advice me to take a train when I'm in Ct, especially to Muizenburg as I saw that at least it seems a bit organized.

^^I havent taken that train in years, but sure would. One of the safest and cleanest routes to take, also very scenic between Muizenberg and Simonstown, where the train rides virtually above the waves.

I would change to rail transport to the city, should we get a much more effective rail system, with safe trains running like every 10 minutes, instead of the current every hour.
A hop-on-hop-off tram system in the city bowl, and to Seapoint would be great.

arent people thrown off the trains all the time?? thats what i read in the paper and saw on carte blanche...

thrown off trains...:D thanks for the concern dysan.

Guys guys guys. I could laugh my arse off about the complete ignorance of those of you who have haven't bothered to take the train in recent times. The frequency of trains is definitely not once an hour, except maybe for far-off destinations like Stellenbosch and Strand. On the Southern Line that goes to Simon's Town, the frequency of trains ranges from a train every four minutes to every eight minutes and every eleven minutes. That ain't so bad now, is it? On the Central Line to Bellville via Bonteheuwel and Lavistown, the frequency is about two to three trains per hour, with more during peak times.

The Southern Line is certainly the model line for South Africa. The trains are clean, in good nick and generally run according to schedule. And the route from False Bay Station to Simon's Town is breathtaking. Try it.

Guys guys guys. I could laugh my arse off about the complete ignorance of those of you who have haven't bothered to take the train in recent times. The frequency of trains is definitely not once an hour, except maybe for far-off destinations like Stellenbosch and Strand. On the Southern Line that goes to Simon's Town, the frequency of trains ranges from a train every four minutes to every eight minutes and every eleven minutes. That ain't so bad now, is it? On the Central Line to Bellville via Bonteheuwel and Lavistown, the frequency is about two to three trains per hour, with more during peak times.

The Southern Line is certainly the model line for South Africa. The trains are clean, in good nick and generally run according to schedule. And the route from False Bay Station to Simon's Town is breathtaking. Try it.
friends from uct travel in each day from fish hoek using the trains, there is def a train at least every 15 mins from rondebosch to fish hoek, considering that only general three routes consisting of multiple rail lines run from cape town central, there are trains going past many of the stations every 5 - 10 mins as caisson boy has stated. Crime on trains has reduced, im not sure how significantly, btw its nice to see the new taxis on the streets of cape town.

Southern Line Trains, impressive. I just found this pic from the net.

http://www.capemetrorail.co.za/Marketing/Marketing_Research/new-train/harbour-line-small.jpg



I also go this article from metrofox.co.uk



Eye spy: Cape Town
Swim with the penguins!
by Elaine Mills
The London Planet


Table Mountain at dawn. Elaine Mills
Print this story

Metrovox asks insiders what to do in some of the most interesting cities around the world. Today, we visit Capetown.
Against the stunning backdrop of Table Mountain, Cape Town offers so many delights and so much natural beauty that it can be difficult to know what to sample first. If you have only limited time on your hands, here’s three of the best:

Take the train to Boulder’s Beach and swim with the penguins.

A leisurely way of exploring the western side of the Cape Peninsula is to take the train from Cape Town Station to the end of the southern line at Simonstown. The train line skirts the famous beaches of the Atlantic seaboard, past tidal pools, colourful bathing huts, quaint fishing harbours and gentle sweeps of beach.

Get off at Kalk Bay for lunch at the Brass Bell which overlooks the village’s fishing harbour as well as its own tidal pool. The lobster and calamari is served fresh, and while enjoying your food you might be entertained by a drunken reveller or two (sometimes half-naked) diving off the breakwater wall.

Then pick up the train for the next leg towards Simonstown, a naval base since 1814, that still exudes the air of an English seaside town.

Nearby Boulder's Beach harbours a colony of jackass penguins, so-called for the braying sound they make when on land. Here, in the bays and shallows, you can swim and snorkel between the birds, who are remarkably untroubled by people. It remains one of the only places in the world where you can do so.

Being close to these endearing, awkward birds, waddling around on dry land with their flightless wings and gormless demeanours, can be strangely therapeutic.



For a restaurant unlike any other, take a drive along the West Coast to the town of Langebaan and pay a visit to the open-air seafood restaurant Die Strandloper, approximately 125km West of Cape Town.

For the equivalent of around £14 per person, the eat-as-much-as-you-can buffet is an absolute bargain. You can dine alfresco, savouring such seafood delights as perlemoen (Abalone), crayfish (West coast rock lobster), calamari, mussels and grilled fish.

Alternatively, try "Boerekos" varieties potjiekos (meat stew cooked in a cast iron pot) or waterblommetjiebredie (another stew with edible water lily). This is accompanied by fresh warm bread, served with farm butter and homemade jams. The setting is rustic, so mussels are used instead of knives and forks, but you can bring your own cutlery if you prefer.

While you’re there, don’t miss out on the chance to take a dip in the tepid, turquoise waters of the Langebaan Lagoon where, in the sheltered shallows, the icy cold Benguela current loses its bite. Then round off the day with a steaming cup of hot filter coffee while sitting on the beach and watching the sun make its slow descent towards the horizon.



However you decide to spend your time in Cape Town, don’t miss out on the sight to end all sights (literally!). South of the city, where the Cape Peninsula juts 25 miles into the Atlantic, you’ll find a beautifully wild and scenic place. At 249 meters above sea level, Cape Point possesses the highest sea cliffs in South Africa.

Located in the pristine nature reserve of the Cape Peninsula National Park, this rocky outpost has not lost its rugged, desolate feel. Although a much visited tourist spot, tacky fast food and souvenir stalls have not taken root here.

Air currents and dramatic cloud formations above the mountainous spine of the peninsula make for a tumultuous, ever-changing skyscape, set-off by an equally spectacular blue stretch of ocean.


e.mills@city.ac.uk

You Capetonias, specifically Mo and Cassion, should have posted all these information you giving to us now long time ago. But you waited to be interogated first.

Give us more information about new taxis Mo, I have seen a couple of them in Jozi also but they haven't yet included the South Africa flag as part of their body painitng. The yellow lines and the seating inside have been changed and the safety have improved dramatically. The only thing that needs to be changed is the mentality of the owners and drivers.


Thanks for the CT train info gents.

thrown off trains...:D thanks for the concern dysan.

Its not something to be laughed at. I have now gone to find the info and it states that there have been several attempts to make the operator provide better security on the south line due to the high number of deaths resulting from gangs operating on the route, and people being thrown from the train while it is moving.

I can provide all links, even the video footage from the carte blanche piece. they even did a follow up and found that none of the remial measures supposed to be put in place by May this year have been done.

I am not knocking your infrastructure, which in terms of rail is better than the rest of us, but i am saying that i still wouldnt use it, for it doesnt sound safe at all. Why cant they jsut implement the safety things they are supposed to?

and dont laugh at me all the time mo, its very demeaning

pule unfortunately busy would be an understatement to my life at the moment so any posts are during free time and will prob be sketchy or straight from news articles on the net. Unfortunately its mostly academics keeping me busy, projects and projects and exams and tests. I will try and email around when i can to find out more specifically relating to transport plans in cape town.

60 Rand that would be insane - peopel complain here (vancouver canada) that $3.50 is too much - around 24 Rand

60 Rand that would be insane - peopel complain here (vancouver canada) that $3.50 is too much - around 24 Rand

Dude. Non capisco. What are you on about?

Airport rail link on the cards for Cape Town

By Staff Writer

Cape Town could soon join the ranks of world cities with a direct rail link to its international airport.

This is one of a string of possible improvements to Capetonians' lives triggered by the 2010 World Cup.

The proposals emerge from a comprehensive transport plan presented to the council's transport portfolio committee.

Other plans to improve mobility around the city include 190-kilometre of cycle tracks, with a circular route for commuters linking Blouberg with the city centre, and the re-introduction of late-night trains.

Late-night trains are also on the cards
The city's acting executive director of transport, roads and stormwater, Maddie Mazaza, said this morning that a comprehensive airport rail link plan dating from 2000 was being closely re-examined.

"Just a short new link from the airport would be necessary to link into the existing rail network," she explained. "It would be fantastic. We need quick access for high volumes into the CBD. We are now going to cost it.

"But it would be expensive, so we will look at private concessionaires - they should be encouraged to participate."

Sources said another plan being considered was a light rail system alongside the N1, possibly elevated.

One expert said: "A direct rail link with the airport would, in one fell swoop, cut out traffic congestion and delays as well as the airport's parking nightmare."

'We are currently owed R3,5-billion'
Neil Muller, transport manager for the Western Cape, said on Friday: "Rail access to the airport is part of being a world-class city. And Cape Town is definitely on that path."

As to the plan for a cycle track, Mazaza said it would run parallel to the R27, "where we will also have lanes specially for public transport - so they will work together".

"The team that has been working with us has been to the Netherlands and to Sweden (to examine international best practice)."

A Cape Argus test last year showed that cyclists could reach the city in less than half the time of motorists crawling in morning traffic from Tableview.

Late-night trains are also on the cards.

Mazaza said the city aimed to have train running times extended from the current 16 hours a day back to 22, as in years past.

In rush hour, rail commuters would also be treated to trains every five minutes. Currently the gap is more than 10 minutes.

Commenting on the proposal for a direct rail link with the airport, mayor Helen Zille said on Friday: "It would really be ideal."

Zille said she had been invited on Thursday to Curitiba, in southern Brazil, a city widely acclaimed as "providing the world with a model of how to integrate sustainable transport considerations into business development, road infrastructure development and local community development", according to the Curitiba website.

Of Cape Town's plans, Zille said: "An integrated public transport infrastructure must be the great public legacy of 2010. That is what we're driving towards - transport is our lead project."

Mazaza said R190-million had been allocated to continue improving roads between the city centre and airport.

Other plans included allocating R90-million to implement the long-awaited Klipfontein Corridor plan.

Zille said the World Cup had helped weld a close working relationship between the province and the city in the past six months.

"Not only do we have an effective joint 2010 team, but there has been outstanding co-operation between the city's transport and the province's transport team to look at the best interests of the region and to bring forward many of the much- longer-term plans, so that we can implement them in time for 2010."

Zille added: "But we need people to pay what they owe the city so that we can do all of these things. We are currently owed R3,5-billion. We could do a lot with that."

On the proposed rail link with the airport, the head of the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Albert Schuitmaker, said such a plan would need to include developing a terminal in the city centre.

[IMG]http://vne-resource.iol.co.za/6/picdb/page_thumbs/medium_new/page_4044767.jpg

http://www.capemetrorail.co.za/_routes/khayelitsha.jpg

I'm sure Zille will push it to happen. Good news for Cape Town, I cross my fingures for you.

hell yeah! imagine, Gautrain, Cape Town Airport link and Joburg-Durban Express.... oh im going to need clean pants.....

keeping my fingers crossed for you guys!!

The airport link is simply a few extra rail tracks to connect the airport to the current rail network, not nearly the scale of the gautrain or joburg-durban link

it probably won't be as niche as gautrain, but im sure it will be on a high standard... so it should still be great!! ;-)