Fin24 reports that low-income families in outlying suburbs like Khayelitsha spend around 43% of their income on transport, according to Brett Herron, Cape Town Mayoral Committee (Mayco) member for Transport and Urban Development.  

In areas like Atlantis – which is further from the city centre – this figure can be as high as 60% of a household's income.  Speaking at the Planning Africa 2018 Conference on Monday, Herron said this high cost of transport was one of the reasons densification was important in urban planning, alongside expanding public transport like bus services, to reduce commuting times.  "We want to see Cape Town to develop into a more inclusive city, offering opportunities for all so that we can continue to attract investments and jobs for all," said Herron.  Earlier on Monday, Mayor-elect for Cape Town, Dan Plato, had been scheduled to join commuters on Metrorail alongside some Mayco members, but the ride-along could not take place as no train arrived.  

• Read this report by Carin Smith in full at Fin24

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