New sky train for Cape Town – Here is the route it could take

Gareth Ramsay, a development engineer at S-Plane Automation, is proposing an ambitious plan to build a new “sky train” in Cape Town.

The idea was partially inspired by the famous incomplete Foreshore Freeway Bridge, which has been an established part of the city’s skyline for nearly half a century.

Rob Quintas, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, told TopAuto in November 2024 that the bridge forms part of ongoing studies to reshape the city’s road network to address its infamous traffic problems.

“The City is busy with a Foreshore Freeway Precinct scoping study,” he said.

“The intention is to develop an optimum transport and land use solution to facilitate long-term investment and economic growth, while maximising the precinct’s inherit public amenity and development potential.”

Ramsay’s proposal is to incorporate the incomplete bridge in the creation of a brand-new elevated railway, which will feature multiple stations running through key areas around the CBD.

Ramsay recently got in touch with TopAuto to share fascinating insights into what this train could look like if it receives the green light, and how citizens can voice their thoughts on the project.

Untapped potential

A key aspect of the elevated train project involves the Three Anchor Bay site, located in Sea Point, which the City of Cape Town has released for “mixed use development.”

In the official proposal document seen by TopAuto, it is noted that this terminology implies the site could be used for commercial, retail, or residential spaces.

However, the rail project’s leaders argue that additional residents and commercial activities may not be the best course of action, given the road congestion that the area already experiences.

Instead, the railway’s proponents suggest that the site could be used to benefit the city as a whole by providing a new public transport service that reduces the need to travel by car.

The completed service could also generate capital injection for the city, which could then be used to fund additional infrastructure projects.

It therefore concludes that a train terminal could be incorporated into the mixed-used area of the Three Anchor Bay site.

The Three Anchor Bay train station will serve as the end point for a new railway that will travel from Woodstock to Sea Point.

The proposed corridor will be approximately 6km long and include four stopping points, including the stations at the start and end of the line.

The starting point for the line will be in Woodstock, which is a key area that serves as the culmination of the existing Southern, Central, Cape Flats, Northern, and Malmesbury/Worcester lines.

“This integration provides seamless access for commuters citywide and enables operators to efficiently adjust train capacity during peak demand,” reads the document.

It would also allow travelers to take an express train directly to Sea Point, bypassing Cape Town Station.

From Woodstock, the railway will closely follow the N2 into town, reaching its first stop at a new terminal located next to the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

This section of the line will feature two railways, allowing for trains to travel in both directions simultaneously.

This is also the point at which the line will be incorporated into the unfinished foreshore freeway, eliminating the need to build additional infrastructure that will taint the city’s skyline.

The new CTICC station will provide direct access to the convention centre, and travellers can use the stop to reach nearby hotels or visit the popular V&A Waterfront.

From the CTICC, the railway will follow Helen Suzman Boulevard along a single line, which will use timed signals to allow for trains to pass in both directions at 5-minute intervals.

This section will also feature an emergency access station as it is one of the few areas where the railway will be level with the road, allowing for emergency services to respond in the event they are needed.

The next public station will be located in Green Point along the flying circle interchange, where commuters will be able to walk to the nearby Cape Town Stadium.

The plan suggests that stadium events could factor train fees into their ticket prices, streamlining transport for visitors.

It would also help to ease congestion in the area, and the public transport service is likely to reduce instances of drunk driving following a major event.

Also worth noting is that the height of the elevated railway has been taken into account, and that it will be lowered in areas like Green Point to avoid obstructing residents’ views.

The lower railway will also be level with existing trees and other greenery, beautifying the project while combating noise pollution.

The project’s leaders state that the train will not present a noise issue, producing significantly less noise than an equivalent number of persons travelling in cars and buses on the road below.

The final stop is the aforementioned site in Sea Point at the Three Anchor Bay site.

The line will move closer to the road as it approaches the terminal, but it will never be level with the ground.

This will ensure that the railway is inaccessible to pedestrians along the entirety of the line to maintain safety.

The Three Anchor site will provide access to the Sea Point Promenade and other recreational zones like Green Point Park while reducing the number of cars in the area.

It is also noted that the elevated train is meant to complement the MyCity bus network and will likely increase ridership as commuters move from the train to a bus for the last leg of their journeys.

Discussing the merits of the project, Ramsay highlighted that the train will help to address historic inequalities by providing a cost-effective travel solution for anyone moving through the CBD.

He also argues that it will be a better long-term solution for the city than completing the foreshore freeway, which is unlikely to improve congestion while potentially creating an eyesore with up to 16 lanes of traffic.

It’s important to note that this project has yet to be approved, as it still needs to be evaluated by the city’s planning council and undergo a public participation process.

Ramsay has asked the public to share their thoughts on the matter by submitting comments on the Three Anchor Bay project, which will form a crucial part of the elevated railway should it be approved.

Individuals who wish to submit a comment on the project can do so by visiting the public engagement site using this link.

All 3D image models and illustrations featured in this article were created by JetJunk Builds Real World Cities.

Elevated Freeway and Three Anchor Bay Development Project, Cape Town