Golden Arrow bus passengers who pay cash will have to budget a little more from 28 September 2026, when selected fares increase by an average of 4.5 percent.

The increase will mainly affect off-peak cash fares, while most peak-period fares will remain unchanged. Some peak cash fares will, however, also increase.

Passengers who use Gold Card multi-journey tickets will not see an increase.

GABS spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer says the decision was made to limit the impact on passengers who rely on public transport for important daily journeys, including getting to work and school.

“The fare adjustment will apply primarily to off-peak cash fares. Those are cash fares paid on the bus between 8am and 4pm daily. Increases will also affect only selected peak cash fares. There will be no increase to any Gold Card multi-journey tickets, ensuring that passengers who purchase their rides upfront continue to pay the same fares. GABS has deliberately limited the adjustment to selected cash fares to minimise the impact on passengers, particularly those who depend on public transport during peak periods for essential journeys to work, school and other daily commitments.”

 

The company says it has been facing higher costs to keep its buses running, including higher fuel, maintenance, spare-parts, tyre and labour costs.

GABS says it has absorbed a significant portion of these rising costs rather than increasing all fares.

Passengers are being encouraged to consider multi-journey tickets, which offer discounts of up to 45 percent. These tickets are loaded onto a reusable Golden Arrow Gold Card, which costs a once-off fee of R40.

The Go Easy ticket costs R134 for five rides, R248.50 for 10 rides and R1,093 for 48 rides, and can be used on almost all routes.