Cape Town says a congestion charge for drivers entering busy areas is not about to be introduced. According to Mayco Member for Urban Mobility Rob Quintas, such a measure would only even be considered once public transport becomes the most reliable and effective travel option. He said that point has not yet been reached and remains a long-term goal.

The clarification follows renewed debate after reports suggested the city could be considering a congestion tax. That discussion gained momentum after Stellenbosch University logistics expert Stephan Krygsman said at an Urban Mobility Strategic Dialogue hosted by the Cape Chamber that Cape Town was running out of viable ways to fund and fix public transport. He argued that congestion taxes, development contributions and privatising parts of the system were among the few revenue options left.

Why the idea surfaced again

The city says the confusion appears to stem from its Travel Demand Management Strategy, which was opened for public comment in November last year. That document refers to a wide range of possible measures drawn from international case studies, including the idea of a “traffic tax”. But Quintas stressed that this is part of a forward-looking policy framework, not a short-term implementation plan.

He also pointed to a major legal barrier. Quintas said there is currently no provision in national legislation that would allow the City of Cape Town to implement a congestion charge. That means even if the city wanted to move faster, it does not yet have the legal power to do so.

What the city plans to do now

For now, the city says it is reviewing feedback from residents and stakeholders on the Travel Demand Management Strategy. Once that process is complete and the revised strategy is formally approved, the Urban Mobility Directorate will develop a detailed implementation plan with timelines, phased interventions and resource allocation.

In the meantime, Quintas said the focus remains on practical steps that can improve movement across the city now. These include investing in more reliable and integrated public transport, expanding park-and-ride facilities, improving walking and cycling infrastructure, encouraging flexible and remote work, and using parking management to reduce dependence on private cars.

Critics want clearer answers

GOOD Party councillor Sandra Dickson says ratepayers should be concerned about the policy direction. She questioned whether the proposal is really about easing congestion or creating another revenue stream. Dickson also criticised the city’s public participation process around the 2026/27 draft budget, saying residents are not being meaningfully informed or given a fair chance to influence decisions. Public comment on that budget runs from 1 April to 30 April.