Cape Town commuters… brace yourselves for a 5% hike in Golden Arrow bus fares from Monday, July 2.
An agreement between the Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) and the Western Cape Provincial Department of Transport and Public Works has been reached to adjust bus fares in an attempt to offset the effect of increased operational expenses. These general fare increases will be in effect from Monday, 2 July 2018.
A statement by GABS asked commuters to understand that the price of fuel has increased by more than 30% over the past years, as well as other cost increases far exceed the consumer price index. Even with the 3.7% increase in operational subsidies for public transport, this additional funding has failed to keep abreast of the cost escalations. Despite these challenges, the GABS has limited fare increases to 5% across the board.
Passengers will be given a chance to delay paying their increased fares until 15 July 2018 in the case of 10-ride clipcards (which are valid for 14 days) and until 7 August 2018 in the case of monthly clipcards (valid for 37 days) – if these cards are purchased before the effective date of the fare increase.
Fare changes are indicated below:
