Capetonian commuters say they have been dealt a major blow after Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) confirmed there will be a fare increase from April.
Commuters can now expect to pay 7% more for their bus fare, with the bus company’s Bronwen Dyke-Beyer saying the price hike was unavoidable, reported EWN.
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‘Golden Arrow Bus Services took the unprecedented decision to delay the implementation of our annual fares increase – which should have taken place in December 2023 – for as long as we could possibly sustain it,’ said Dyke-Beyer.
‘Unfortunately, we are no longer able to absorb rising costs across our supply chain and we will therefore be implementing an average 7% increase on 1 April 2024.’
The last bus fare hike was in September last year.
She added that Golden Arrow’s interim operating contract with the provincial government makes adjustments to fares to offset operational increases.
‘Golden Arrow is always acutely aware of the difficult economic climate in which our passengers find themselves. This average increase of 7% is not only unavoidable but essential to ensure that Golden Arrow is able to remain sustainable and to maintain the same exceptional level of services which 96% of passengers would recommend to friends and family,’ she said.
According to IOL, Automobile Association spokesperson Layton Beard said a 7% increase in bus fares was in line with inflation.
‘I think a lot of this has to do with the price of fuel increasing,’ said Beard. ‘This is not great for consumers as salary and wages stay the same but everything else goes up. People at this point cannot stretch their budget in a very dire situation.’
Among the increases are:
- Cash price from Atlantis to Cape Town will increase from R47 to R50.50.
- Cash price from Cape Town to Mitchells Plain will increase from R40 to R43.
- Cash price from Cape Town to Wynberg will increase from R23 to R24.50.
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Picture: Golden Arrow Bus Services / Facebook