If you rely on the bus to get around Cape Town, there’s some tough news on the horizon.
Golden Arrow, the city’s main bus operator, has confirmed that it will be increasing fares by 4% across all routes starting Monday, 11 August.
That means your daily commute is about to get just a little more expensive.
Golden Arrow Says It Can’t Absorb the Costs Anymore
According to Golden Arrow, this fare hike wasn’t an easy decision.
The company has been holding off on increasing fares for as long as it could, even postponing a scheduled hike back in December 2024 to help ease the burden on passengers.
But with rising fuel prices, maintenance costs, and general inflation pushing operating expenses higher, the company says it’s now reached a point where it has no choice but to pass some of that cost on to commuters.
“We’ve made every effort to delay this,” said spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer, “but costs across our supply chain have kept climbing, and we simply can’t absorb them any longer.”
What Commuters Can Expect to Pay Now
For those paying cash fares, the new 4% increase will be applied automatically.
If you use a Gold Card, you’ll still receive a 45% discount on weekly and monthly passes, which remains one of the most affordable options available.
Pensioners, however, will now pay R78.50 for their tickets.
The Gold Card itself still costs R40, but that’s a once-off purchase.
Timing Raises Concerns for Already-Struggling Households
The announcement has come at a tough time.
With fuel costs sky-high and living expenses rising across the board, many Cape Town residents are already feeling the financial strain.
Now, this fare increase adds yet another challenge—especially for families and workers who rely on buses daily.
While Golden Arrow’s current contract with the Western Cape Government allows for such fare changes, critics have pointed out that the timing couldn’t be worse.
Keeping the Buses Running—But at What Cost?
Golden Arrow insists that the increase is necessary to ensure reliable service continues.
Maintaining vehicles, paying staff, and keeping up with safety standards all require funding—and without the fare hike, those standards could be jeopardized.
Still, many are questioning whether enough is being done to keep public transport affordable.
Even with the Gold Card discount, the increase feels like a step backward for those hoping for more inclusive and accessible transit.
Could Public-Private Partnerships Be the Solution?
With commuters increasingly squeezed and transport systems under pressure, experts are calling for more creative, long-term solutions.
Public-private partnerships, where government and business collaborate on service delivery and innovation, are being floated as a way forward.
Until then, however, Cape Town residents will need to dig a little deeper into their pockets to get to work, school, or wherever their bus takes them.
