The invisible backbone: Advancing mobility for residents through the R3.5 billion budget
Buses, taxis, and trains don’t just carry residents; they drive the Western Cape forward. Every trip connects them to work, school, and essential services. Today, Western Cape Mobility Minister, Isaac Sileku, tabled a R3.5 billion budget in the Provincial Legislature to improve access to transport and help residents travel more safely and reliably.
For many residents, the cost of a bus ticket is the only thing standing between them and a job. This budget aims to remove that barrier. In 2026, the Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme will expand to George, allowing around 7 500 jobseekers in areas like Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp to travel for free on GO GEORGE buses to attend interviews. The programme is already delivering results in Cape Town, where 35% of users have found permanent work, helping to bring income into households and ease financial pressure at home.
As food and electricity costs rise, keeping transport affordable is more important than ever. The Department is investing R1.3 billion in Golden Arrow Bus Services to support around 230 000 daily commuters, helping to keep fares lower in areas such as Khayelitsha, Mitchell’s Plain, and Atlantis. The planned expansion of GO GEORGE to Uniondale could also save regular passengers up to R16 000 a year. This is money that can be used for essential household needs.
This budget supports what is often an “invisible backbone”, helping ambulances reach patients faster and enabling social workers to access vulnerable households. It also invests R10 million in the Dial-A-Ride service to assist residents with disabilities, ensuring they can travel safely and with dignity. In rural areas, bicycles remain essential, with more than 3 200 already distributed to improve access to schools and clinics, support neighbourhood safety initiatives, and help courier businesses. Plans are also underway to create a “Non-Motorised Transport Demonstration Town” to make cycling safer and more accessible for everyone.
The budget also addresses concerns about safety and service in the minibus taxi industry. A newly launched Taxi Academy will formally register drivers and provide training in road safety and customer care, ensuring safer and more reliable trips for passengers. At the same time, the Department is working closely with law enforcement to enforce a zero-tolerance approach to violence and extortion.
To further protect residents and the economy, the Department is investing R80 million in heavy-duty mobile diagnostic scanners. These modern tools will be deployed by Provincial Traffic Services at weighbridges and border points to detect illegal goods, firearms, and drugs more effectively, helping to disrupt criminal activity, while also containing threats such as Foot and Mouth Disease and protecting food security.
To access the full speech, visit: Minister Sileku’s Budget Speech
