City proposes revised policy for public transport fares
09 March 2025
The City of Cape Town is proposing a revised fares policy for public transport services. The intention of the proposed policy is to enable the City to, over time, support an integrated public transport system where commuters can seamlessly transfer from one mode to another and where the different modes contracted with the City use an integrated fare system and timetable. The draft policy is also cognisant of recent advances in information technology and how these can be used to offer commuters more payment options, among which mobile payment devices, bank cards, credit cards, virtual bank cards, and so forth.
The draft Fares Policy is available on the City of Cape Town’s website: www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay
The City’s Fares Policy applies to contracted public transport under its management, namely the MyCiTi bus service and Dial-a-Ride (DAR) service; and determines how the City structures and implements its fares structure for these services.
‘We have reviewed the policy over the past few years. The investigation centred around the following principles: how to make public transport more accessible, convenient, cost-effective, and attractive to commuters; and what changes are needed to help us establish one integrated public transport network for Cape Town, taking into account all of the different modes on offer,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.
Currently, the City has a distance band-based fares structure for the MyCiTi and DAR services. The new proposal is to allow for changes to the fares structure, for example, a zonal structure, should the City decide that a change is necessary.
‘The draft policy also proposes that the City expands the loading and payment options available to commuters. Currently, commuters can only upload points on their MyCiTi cards at kiosks and certain retailers. This is inconvenient and the system is impacted by poor signal in certain areas. We want to make it easier for commuters to access our services and make it possible to load points by using mobile phone payment apps, virtual bank cards, credit cards, debit cards, and so forth. This will be a game-changer,’ said Councillor Quintas.
Thus, the draft Fares Policy aims to:
• Simplify the fares system for passengers
• Improve access to public transport with more loading and payment options, such as through credit cards, debit cards, mobile phone payment apps, and MyCiTi cards
• Create a cheaper, simpler and more flexible fares system to operate, manage and maintain
• Improve integration between public transport modes and services operating in Cape Town
‘Obviously, it will take time to integrate the fare system across the different modes of public transport. This is a reality, given that every mode is being operated by another sphere of government – for example, the City manages MyCiTi and DAR, passenger rail is managed by PRASA and GABS by the Western Cape Government. And then, the minibus-taxi industry is privately owned and operated. Despite the respective ownership and management of the various modes, the City would like to make it technically possible for Capetonians to enjoy a simplified and more efficient payment system, making it easier for existing public transport users and enhancing the appeal for those wanting to transition away from reliance on private vehicles. Our intention is to create an integrated public transport system and the proposed draft policy is a step in this direction,’ said Councillor Quintas.
How to access the draft policy:
• Online, on the City’s website at www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay
• The executive summary is available at subcouncil offices and City libraries
• Email transport.info@capetown.gov.za for more information
• For technical queries, phone the Transport Information Centre on 0800 65 64 63
How to comment:
• The closing date for comments is 7 April 2025
• Online, go to www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay
• Send an email to urbanmobility.CT@capetown.gov.za
• Handwritten comments can be submitted at Subcouncil offices and City libraries, mark it for the attention: ED, Urban Mobility
‘I encourage residents and stakeholders to please read the document, and to submit comments and suggestions. Your input is valuable and important to us. We are looking forward to comments from operators and commuters in particular. Your first-hand experience of these services will assist us a great deal as we refine the draft policy to keep Capetonians moving,’ said Councillor Quintas.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
