Cape Town Rail Devolution Delays: Hill-Lewis Urges Urgent Action On National Transport Plan

Cape Town’s struggling rail commuters may have to wait even longer for improvements, as the National Department of Transport’s draft National Rail Master Plan outlines rail devolution in principle but fails to provide clear timelines.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has welcomed the shift in policy, which would allow metropolitan municipalities like Cape Town to assume control of urban rail services. However, he cautioned that the absence of firm deadlines risks prolonging the current crisis for commuters.

“We’ve asked for clear timelines. This can’t be another situation where we wait four or five years,” Hill-Lewis said.

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For thousands who rely on trains daily, persistent delays, safety concerns and limited services continue to define their commute. These issues are expected to play a significant role in the political landscape ahead of the next local government elections.

While the draft plan confirms government’s intention to devolve rail responsibilities to “capable metros”, in line with a 2022 Cabinet decision, it stops short of committing to a schedule.

Hill-Lewis noted that this marks the first time the policy has been formally detailed, following repeated delays in releasing the document.

“All we’ve had until now was a Cabinet minute. Now we at least have confirmation, but no urgency,” he said.

Funding Requirements For Cape Town Rail Takeover

The City of Cape Town has stressed that any transfer of control must be accompanied by the funding currently allocated to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).

Like most public transport systems worldwide, rail operations depend heavily on subsidies. The city estimates that approximately R1.8 billion annually would be required to sustain and improve the service if management is devolved.

“We would need that operational subsidy to get the system up and running and then improve it over time,” Hill-Lewis said.

For commuters, the implications are significant. An efficient rail network could reduce both travel times and commuting costs—factors likely to influence voter sentiment in the upcoming municipal elections.

Rail System Seen As Backbone Of Cape Town Transport

Despite ongoing challenges, city officials maintain that rail must form the foundation of Cape Town’s public transport system.

With a population exceeding five million, rail is viewed as the most effective means of transporting large volumes of passengers across the metro.

“If you want a successful megacity, you have to have a functional, excellent rail system,” Hill-Lewis said.

While other services, such as the MyCiTi bus rapid transit network, will continue to play a role, the city’s long-term vision positions rail at the centre of its transport strategy.

Election Pressure Mounts Over Rail Reform Delays

The slow pace of rail reform is expected to become a key issue in local government election campaigns.

For many voters, particularly working-class commuters, reliable transport is not an abstract policy concern but a daily necessity that directly impacts employment, income and overall quality of life.

With no definitive timeline for rail devolution, calls are intensifying for the national government to accelerate the process.