On Tuesday, the City of Cape Town officially launched the MyCiti bus rides for unemployed residents, in order to support them in their efforts to find employment. This is another initiative aimed at providing opportunities to the residents most in need.
Only unemployed residents who are registered on the City’s Expanded Public Works Programme job seekers’ database qualify for this opportunity. The concession applies to those job seekers who are registered at Subcouncils 1, 3, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 23 or 24. These subcouncils fall in the MyCiTi footprint and are served by MyCiTi routes.
Job seekers who are registered on the city’s unemployment database will receive a free myconnect card, loaded with a special travel package. This will allow two free one-way journeys every week on any MyCiTi route. This includes changing from one bus or route to another to reach a destination.
As a proactive administration, we have set aside R6,6 million to pay for and subsidise bus rides on the MyCiTi service for unemployed people in Cape Town.
– Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Patricia De Lille
Travel can take place on any weekday starting between 09:00 and 10:00 or between 14:00 and 15:00. The journey can end outside of these times, but job seekers must ensure that they start their journey within these time periods.
Applicants must apply at the subcouncil office where they are registered on the job seekers’ database by presenting their identity document and completing an application form.
Job seekers registered at the following subcouncils qualify for the free MyCiTi rides:
| Subcouncil | Venue for free cards |
| 1 | Subcouncil 1 office, corner of Grosvenor and Hermes Avenue, Saxonsea, Atlantis |
| 3 | Summer Greens Community Hall, Tinkers Road, Summer Greens |
| 9 | Subcouncil 9 office, Site B, Khayelitsha Shopping Centre |
| 10 | Khayelitsha Training Centre, corner of Lwandle and Phendula Crescent, Khayelitsha |
| 12 | Lentegeur Administrative Office, corner of Melkbos and Merrydale Roads, Lentegeur |
| 15 | Brooklyn Library, Koeberg Road, Brooklyn |
| 16 | 11th Floor, 44 Wale Street, Cape Town |
| Roads Depot, 17 Main Road, Hout Bay |
| Hangberg Sports and Recreation Centre, Karbonkel Road, Hangberg, Hout Bay |
| 23 | Lentegeur Administrative Office, corner of Melkbos and Merrydale Roads, Lentegeur |
| 24 | Kuyasa Library, Walter Sisulu Road, Mandela Park, Khayelitsha |
Job seekers needing more information or assistance can call the Transport Information Centre (TIC) on 0800 65 64 63. The TIC is available 24/7 and agents can assist callers in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa.
The City of Cape Town is committed to supporting inclusive economic growth. This initiative is a pilot project that targets job seekers in vulnerable sections of the community in an effort to combat poverty and unemployment.
– Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Patricia De Lille
Other strategies being implemented to address unemployment in the City of Cape Town:
- Last week Council approved funding of R7 million for two skills development programmes where together with the City’s partners, training to more than 350 young people will be provided.
- The City is also working with the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism to fund the Cape Innovation Technology Initiative’s programme to train and provide work experience to unemployed youth from Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain and surrounding areas.
- Partnerships with the Western Cape Government and Business.
As the City of Cape Town, we will continue building an opportunity city and creating an enabling environment for economic growth because there’s still a lot that needs to be done. But we are committed to ensuring that we provide opportunities and ensuring that we reduce unemployment.
– Executive Mayor of Cape Town Patricia de Lille
