"Park-n-Ride is an initiative identified in the City of Cape Town's Travel Demand Management Strategy", says Elizabeth Thompson, Mayco Member for Transport, Roads and Stormwater. "It aims to alleviate traffic congestion by providing opportunities for commuters to shift to less expensive and more convenient ways of reaching their destinations.

"With the ever increasing price of petrol and the opportunity provided by the opening of the N2 BMT lane we felt it an opportune time - given that October is Transport Month - to create opportunities that will enable commuters to experience the benefits of the BMT lane and save money." says Thompson.

As similar initiatives in other countries have proved, everyone benefits because commuters get to their destinations in substantially less time at substantially less cost and traffic congestion is eased.

The Helderberg area has been identified as the ideal place for a pilot project of this nature, something that delights the chairperson of the Helderberg Subcouncil, Cllr Demi Dudley, "The need for rapid public transport from this area was identified some time ago", says Dudley. "The idea is to have a secure point where people can be dropped off or safely park their vehicles before travelling to Cape Town. They will disembark at the same place in the afternoon.

"We want to determine the commuter profile for residents of the Helderberg area that will enable us to tailor the project to their needs - we want them to tell us what time they need to reach their destination, in which part of town they need to be dropped off, what time they want to leave on the return journey, etc." says Dudley. Helderberg residents who wish to participate in the survey can phone the 24-hour, 7 days a week call centre on 0800 65 64 63. The call centre agent will take them through the survey and record the information. This survey will be conducted from 15 to 21 October 2007.

Once the survey has been completed, the Transport Department will be in a better position to give details as to where and when this service will become operational. It is anticipated that the outcome of the survey will be available by 24 October 2007. This will be communicated via the media or through sms and e-mail messages to respondents who supplied the necessary contact details.

If the project proves to be successful, it will be implemented in other areas.

Issued by:
Communication
City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 2201

Media Queries:
Ester Moag
Head: Marketing & Passenger Services
Transport Department
Tel: 021 400 4707 Cell: 084 458 5479