South Africa's history of racial segregation resulted in many communities living great distances from employment, goods, and services. Up until 2007, when work began on a new bus rapid transit (BRT) system for Cape Town, public transport in South Africa focused on servicing these affected communities at a subsidised cost, and was seen as unsafe, infrequent, and unpredictable.

 

Cape Town’s MyCiTi BRT system, which will remain a work in progress until all its numerous phases have been completed, has aimed to improve the public transport situation. According to the City of Cape Town, the MyCiTi service has thus far proven to be both safe and reliable, however little information is available as to the accessibility levels of this new BRT system.

 

According to Cape Town mayor Patricia De Lille, the initial rollout focused on areas with high passenger demand but with no available rail services. Such areas include the west coast suburbs such as Milnerton and Table View. The main trunk route along the west coast makes use of dedicated bus lanes, which has helped ensure that the BRT system can be frequent, reliable and safe. In Table View where the main trunk route ends, many feeder routes branch out to carry people to and from the trunk route. 

 

Despite the MyCiTi business plan running heavily over budget, there are plans to extend the system further north along the west coast, as well as to introduce more feeder buses in the Blouberg area. Also included is a new route that will branch off the west coast trunk route at Race Course Road, which will eventually furnish Montague Gardens and Century City.