38 electric MyCiTi buses are coming. Here's which route gets them first
Cape Town's first seven electric MyCiTi buses have arrived, with 31 more due by March 2027. The City plans to put 21 on the N2 Express serving Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha.
Cape Town's first seven battery-electric MyCiTi buses arrived at the depot this week, and if the City's plan holds, 21 of them will run on the N2 Express between Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha and the city (City of Cape Town).
Another 13 buses are due in November and the last 17 between January and March 2027, taking the electric fleet to 38 (City of Cape Town).
Which MyCiTi route gets the electric buses first?
The City says the plan is to deploy 21 e-buses on the N2 Express, the service that runs along the N2 highway and carries commuters from Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha. Other routes will be considered to match capacity with demand (City of Cape Town).
In July, the City said the e-buses were also earmarked for routes linking Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha with Wynberg and Claremont, as part of the metro-south east expansion, and for the Cape Town CBD (Engineering News).
When can you ride one?
The City hasn't given a passenger start date in its latest update. In July it said the first e-buses would start operating by 1 July 2027, if all went as planned (Engineering News, TopAuto).
The delivery schedule so far:
| Batch | Buses | When |
|---|---|---|
| Prototype | 1 | Arrived July 2026 |
| First batch | 7 | Arrived late October 2026 |
| Second batch | 13 | Expected November 2026 |
| Final batch | 17 | Expected January to March 2027 |
Source: City of Cape Town, Engineering News. With the prototype, the City now has eight e-buses.
What are the new buses like?
They are 12-metre, low-floor Volvo BZRLE battery-electric buses that carry 59 passengers each. They are the first MyCiTi buses with bodies designed in South Africa, and they are built in Gauteng (City of Cape Town).
The prototype was tested on steep climbs and descents, in stop-start city traffic, in peak-hour congestion and over longer distances (City of Cape Town). Test routes included Hospital Bend, the N2, Camps Bay, Polkadraai Road and Jip de Jager Drive (Engineering News).
Why is the City switching to electric?
The City points mainly to running costs. "Given the steep diesel prices in particular, we cannot wait to see the difference the e-fleet will make," said Rob Quintas, the City's mayoral committee member for urban mobility. He said some countries running e-buses have seen operating costs fall by up to 70% (City of Cape Town).
The City will collect operating data from the fleet to decide where to use e-buses next. Buying more depends on funding from national government (City of Cape Town).
Where do I check MyCiTi routes and times?
Use the official MyCiTi website for routes, timetables and service updates. The City will announce any route changes for the new fleet.
FAQ
Which MyCiTi route will use the electric buses?
The City of Cape Town plans to deploy 21 electric buses on the N2 Express, which serves commuters from Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha. Other routes may be added depending on demand.
How many electric MyCiTi buses is Cape Town getting?
38 in total. Seven arrived in late October 2026, 13 are expected in November 2026 and 17 between January and March 2027. The City also has a prototype that arrived in July 2026.
When will electric MyCiTi buses start carrying passengers?
The City's October 2026 update gives no start date. In July 2026 it said the first e-buses would start operating by 1 July 2027 if all went as planned.
What electric buses is MyCiTi using?
12-metre, low-floor Volvo BZRLE battery-electric buses that carry 59 passengers each, with bodies designed in South Africa and built in Gauteng.