The University of Cape Town actively prioritises sustainable, low-carbon commuting through a dedicated campus shuttle service, explicit pedestrian-first campus arrangements and parking management that discourages single-occupancy car travel. UCT’s campus shuttle (the UCT Shuttle) is provided free to UCT students and staff and operates as a scheduled, route-based service linking residences, UCT’s multiple campuses and selected nearby public transport nodes (train and MyCiTi bus stations). The  fleet of about 26 buses is complemented by a vehicle specially adapted to serve users with disabilities — demonstrating an accessibility-focused approach to campus transport.

The shuttle is integrated with off-campus public transport to reduce private-car trips: UCT and the MyCiTi bus service have long coordinated routes and stops so shuttle users can transfer directly to/from MyCiTi services at Gardens station and other points, widening the catchment of reliable public transport for UCT commuters. The shuttle timetable and live-tracking are published via the UCT Shuttle/GoMetro Move app and campus notices so users can plan multi-modal journeys — a practical measure that encourages use of buses and trains over private cars.

The shuttle network is run with accessibility, frequency and extended-service considerations in mind. UCT’s outreach and news pieces describe regular scheduled daytime services (commonly reported as running from early morning through late afternoon — e.g., 06:00–18:00 for the regular timetable) and note there is late-night/extended provision at times (for term-time peaks, exam periods and events); operational updates (stop closures, diversions) are communicated promptly to users, and the Shuttle Office provides out-of-hours contact during busy periods. Taken together these sources show the shuttle is run as a high-frequency, campus-oriented public-good service that substitutes many private car trips.

In 2024 UCT operated a suite of commuting-mode initiatives aimed at reducing reliance on single-occupant private vehicles. The university’s “Getting Around” guide (27 Jan 2024) promotes walking, designated cycle lanes, scooters and motorbikes on campus. The student-led Green Campus Initiative runs  “Ridelink” (carpool-matching) programme to encourage cycling and carpooling.

On the pedestrian and parking side, UCT applies a pedestrian-priority / vehicle access control approach across its Upper, Middle and Lower campuses. Campus maps and planning material show designated pedestrian routes and vehicle access controls around Madiba Circle and University Avenue, and UCT has for years pursued measures to reduce vehicle traffic on University Avenue and surrounding student precincts (including targeted reductions in student parking bays). UCT’s 2024 campus communications confirm managed parking: parking discs are required and sold via Traffic Administration, with explicit restrictions (for example, first-year students are not eligible for parking discs and temporary discs are issued only in constrained circumstances such as exams). During high-impact events or construction the university temporarily closes sections of campus roads to vehicles and prioritises shuttle and pedestrian movements — all consistent with a planned move away from on-campus car dependence.

Why this matters for the SDGs: these transport choices advance multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Free, accessible shuttle links to public transport and the provision of an accessible shuttle vehicle promote inclusive mobility (SDG 10: reduced inequalities) and healthy, active travel when combined with pedestrianised precincts (SDG 3: good health and well-being). Reduced private-car dependence and modal-shift support lower transport emissions (SDG 13: climate action) and, by promoting safe, walkable campus spaces, contribute to sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). The inclusion of disabled-user provision demonstrates how UCT embeds equity and accessibility into its sustainable-commuting measures.