Golden Arrow Bus Service set to increase its fares

Golden Arrow Bus Service (GABS) announced that it will increase its fares by 2.7% on all cash and multi-journey products (formerly known as clipcards) from the 18th of September.

PICTURE: GABS

It added that the pricing of pensioner’s products will not increase, and that GABS Gold Cards, a once-off purchase, will also remain at R35.

In a statement, the bus company blamed the increase on diesel, and a legacy of implementing fare increases that are much lower than industry inflation.

‘’Golden Arrow’s interim operating contract with provincial government makes provision for adjustments to fares to offset operational cost increases,’’ said Derick Meyer, GABS General Manager.

‘’We remain ever cognisant of the impact of fare increases on our passengers and therefore only implement increases when all cost-saving options have been exhausted and absorbing operational cost increases is no longer possible,’’ he added.

Meyer urged passengers to purchase a GABS Gold Card and load weekly or monthly products instead of paying cash, as this he says, is a cheaper option

‘’Weekly and monthly products are sold at a discount of up to 45%. Golden Arrow remains committed to providing safe and reliable transport for our passengers and providing a secure future for our employees.’’

Meyer said passengers can enquire about new fares from the Transport Information Centre on 0800 65 64 63 from 11 September 2023.

Meanwhile, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), announced that it will not increase its fares.

“We have noted the increase in fuel prices, especially diesel, but we have not taken a decision on whether our associations will review their fares, but as a rule we do not normally adjust our prices in relation to the fluctuations in the price of fuel,’’ said Mandla Hermanus, Santaco Western Cape chairperson.

‘’We normally review our prices once a year, sometimes once every second year, but this varies from association to association.  At the moment our prices will remain as they are, but we will monitor the situation and should there be further increases in the cost of fuel, then we might have to relook our pricing as well,” he added.

The City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate confirmed that it too will not increase fares. Mayco Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, said MyCiTi tariffs will only increase should the diesel price breach the R27,51 threshold for two consecutive months, after which the increase becomes mandatory in the following month.

‘’The City is committed to providing an affordable and reliable MyCiTi service. However, we also have a responsibility to ensure the financial sustainability of the service. The Urban Mobility Directorate is committed to providing accessible and equitable transportation for all our residents, and our budget is structured in such a way that allows for fares to be adjusted during the financial year only following significant and sustained fuel price changes beyond a set threshold.’’

‘’This is a carefully considered approach that is designed to ensure a resilience to fluctuations in the wholesale diesel price, protecting residents from erratic price shocks,’’ addedthe City's Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

 

SUPPLIED: GABS

Done By: Mitchum George

*THIS BLOG WAS UPDATED TO ADD COMMENT FROM MYCITI