The hidden costs of Cape Town's traffic congestion

COMMUTER STRESS

- SARENE KLOREN

CAPE Town, once celebrated for its scenic beauty, is now in the spotlight for its traffic congestion.

The city ranks as the ninth most congested globally, with commuters losing an average of 94 hours annually to delays, equating to nearly four days stuck in traffic.

The congestion not only reflects wasted time but also highlights the growing frustration, fatigue, and stress affecting thousands of residents, raising serious concerns about quality of life.

According to the 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard, Cape Town was ranked the ninth most congested city in the world, with motorists losing an average of 94 hours per year to delays.

But these statistics don't just represent wasted time, they highlight the mounting frustration, fatigue and stress experienced by thousands of commuters across the city.

To put it in perspective, 94 hours equals almost four full days a year spent sitting in traffic.