A total of 150 MyCiTi bus drivers have successfully completed the City of Cape Town’s Smart Driver Training Programme, receiving their competency certificates at a ceremony held at the Observatory bus depot yesterday.
The programme, spearheaded by the City’s Spatial Planning and Environment Directorate and the Urban Mobility Directorate in collaboration with Public Transport Operations and two Vehicle Operating Companies (VOCs), aims to improve driver behaviour through targeted upskilling. The training focuses on enhancing safety, reducing fuel consumption and maintenance costs, and lowering carbon emissions – all while ensuring a better experience for passengers.
“This training is about more than just technical skill,” said Councillor Rob Quintas, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility. “Great drivers are not born—they are the product of great training. Our bus drivers are the heart of Cape Town’s public transport system, and investing in them means investing in safety, efficiency, and sustainability.”
The Smart Driver Programme is a transversal initiative within the City of Cape Town, offering training across several areas:
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Touch key training for City fleet drivers
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Refresher courses for drivers involved in accidents
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Risk management training for transport managers, supervisors, and operators
The recent MyCiTi training included both theoretical lessons and practical assessments, with qualified assessors monitoring and evaluating drivers on the road. Constructive feedback was then shared with both drivers and VOC management to support ongoing improvement.
An additional 400 MyCiTi and Dial-a-Ride drivers are scheduled to receive the same training in the current and coming financial years, further strengthening the City’s public transport capacity.
Alderman Eddie Andrews, Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, highlighted the environmental importance of the initiative: “This training supports the City’s Environmental Strategy by embedding resource efficiency and low-carbon development in our operations. Changing driving habits helps protect the environment, reduces costs, and makes our roads safer for all.”
As Cape Town continues to grow its public transport system, programmes like Smart Driver training represent a critical step toward building a safer, cleaner, and more efficient mobility network for all residents.
