Johannesburg, Gauteng – Public transport users in Gauteng are adjusting to a 10% fare increase implemented by PUTCO, one of South Africa’s largest bus operators, as the company responds to escalating diesel prices and operational expenses.
PUTCO spokesperson Lindokuhle Xulu explained that the adjustment is specifically linked to fuel costs and is separate from the operator’s standard annual January fare review. Xulu emphasized that maintaining current service levels without the increase would no longer be financially viable.
“After two months of absorbing these rising costs, we reached a point where sustainability of our service required this adjustment,” Xulu stated. He noted that while fully offsetting the fuel price surge would necessitate a 35% fare hike, PUTCO deliberately limited the increase to 10% to ease the burden on commuters who depend on the company’s subsidized transport services.
The fare change coincides with reports that Johannesburg Metro is reducing trips on certain routes due to similar financial and operational pressures. PUTCO confirmed that routes including Mayfield Park, Randpark Ridge, and Dainfern will see service adjustments. The operator stressed that peak morning services for workers and learners remain unaffected, with reductions focused on mid-morning and early afternoon schedules.
Xulu highlighted that PUTCO serves predominantly passengers who cannot afford alternative transport options, underscoring the company’s commitment to accessibility despite mounting pressures. He also addressed uncertainty around future fuel pricing, noting that market forecasts are divided—some analysts predict diesel prices may fall, while others anticipate further increases by June.
“Even if fuel costs decrease, there is a ripple effect from the expenses we have already absorbed,” Xulu cautioned, indicating that immediate fare reductions may not be feasible should diesel prices drop.
PUTCO has been in ongoing discussions with the Department of Roads and Transport and SANTACO, the public transport industry association, seeking government intervention to shield passengers from additional cost pressures. According to Xulu, these engagements have not yet produced concrete relief measures.
“We continue to communicate with government structures, but at this stage, we have not received support that would allow us to protect passengers from these adjustments,” he said.
The broader public transport sector faces comparable challenges, with the taxi industry also contending with rising operational costs. Commuters across all modes of transport are advised to factor potential fare adjustments into their household budgets in the coming months.
As fuel price volatility persists, PUTCO maintains it will monitor conditions closely and respond accordingly, while continuing to prioritize essential commuter routes and affordability within the constraints of a subsidized service model.