Drive Less, Live More Campaign Launched

With the average Capetonian spending up to 40 days a year in traffic, it’s time to look at reducing congestion. While the City is doing it’s part by upgrading roads a congestion study carried out in 2015 suggests practical solutions to change motorists’ travel behaviour. The Drive Less, Live More campaign highlights key focus areas we can all try.

Flexible working programmes
Talk to your employer or HR representative about the benefits of the programme and how it will work for you and your company.

Business owners might want to consider a flexible working programme to retain key employees whose personal needs conflict with traditional work hours. Businesses could gain increased productivity, turnover and worker satisfaction, which improves the bottom line.

• Flexi-time: start and end work at nonstandard times within limits set by management. Within this option you can choose from:
• Core hours: be present during specified core business hours, but possibly  adjust arrival and departure times each day (e.g. to be present between 10:00 – 14:00 every day, but the other four hours vary).
• Variable day: work a consistent schedule of a different number of hours each day but achieve the expected number of hours within the week.

Staggered working hours
Starting times are determined by the employer – the times will differ from the company’s standard times – but the same schedule is kept each day (e.g. to arrive at work at 07:00 every day and leave at 15:30).

Compressed work week
Work a full work week in fewer days (e.g. a full-time employee scheduled for 40 hours per week could work four 10-hour days instead of five 8-hour days.

Remote working
Work from home or remotely – or replace a peak-hour commute by working from home during peak hours then travelling to the office.

Carpooling and lift clubs
Almost 80% of traffic is caused by people driving alone to and from work. With this in mind, carpooling/lift clubs is a practical option. If all Capetonians who drive alone added just one person to their car, we could halve the amount of traffic on the roads! See our tips for smart driving.

Cape Town has a number of public transport options to take you to your destination. Bus systems are reliable and efficient and serve the needs of thousands of commuters and visitors.

• MyCiTi website and route planner
• Golden Arrow buses and route planner
• Metrorail is the Western Cape’s train network provider
• GoMetro app

For the most up-to-date information on all Golden Arrow Bus routes in the Western Cape, call the City’s toll-free, 24/7 Transport Information Contact Centre at 0800 65 64 63.

You can also install the TCT public transport app for your smartphone to keep up to date with the latest transport information. Download it from Google Play, the Windows Store, the iPhone App Store and Blackberry World.

Cycling and walking
Using a bike or walking around the city will lower the traffic on our roads and both are great ways to reduce stress and maintain a healthier lifestyle.

Read more about cycling and walking safety on our roads. For more information on commuter, recreational and off-road routes in Cape Town, check the Cape Town Green Map.

Source:  City of Cape Town, Media Office