Cape Town commuters could soon notice a major shift in how they travel, as the city prepares to introduce a new generation of buses to its public transport system.
The City of Cape Town has confirmed that its first electric bus will arrive in August 2026, marking the start of a broader rollout across the MyCiTi network.
MyCiTi buses are getting an electric upgrade
The city plans to introduce a total of 30 electric buses between August 2026 and June 2027.
The first unit is expected to arrive by August, followed by 13 more between October and December this year. The remaining buses will be delivered in phases after that.
These will be 12-metre Volvo electric buses, with their bodies manufactured locally in Johannesburg, a first for this type of vehicle in South Africa.
The new buses are expected to operate along MyCiTi routes in the metro-south east, including areas such as Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha, as well as routes connecting Wynberg, Claremont and the Cape Town CBD.
If everything stays on track, commuters could start seeing these buses in operation by July 2027.
Good news for carbon and costs
The move to electric buses comes at a time when energy costs and global fuel markets remain unpredictable.
City officials say switching to electric could help cut carbon emissions while also reducing long-term operating and maintenance costs.
In some countries, electric bus fleets have reportedly reduced operating costs by as much as 70%, although Cape Town will conduct its own research to see what savings are possible locally.
Before a full rollout, the city will spend about 12 months testing the buses on existing routes.
This research, done in partnership with the University of Cape Town, will look at:
- How far the buses can travel on a single charge,
- How passenger numbers affect battery usage,
- Charging times and performance in local conditions,
- and overall reliability on different routes
The findings will help shape plans, including driver training, maintenance and route planning.
What commuters can expect
For now, the changes will be gradual.
The first buses will be tested before being introduced more widely, meaning most commuters won’t see an immediate shift.
But over time, the move could lead to quieter, cleaner and potentially more efficient bus services across the city.
The City says expanding the electric bus fleet remains a priority, although future rollouts will depend on funding from national government.
If successful, the project could mark a major step toward modernising public transport in the city and changing the daily commute for thousands of residents.
