Transport & Traffic

Public transport prices in Gauteng for 2026: What commuters really pay

Published

2 days ago

January 29, 2026

Chiraag

Public transport Gauteng 2026, A Re Yeng bus fares, Metrobus Johannesburg prices, Gautrain ticket costs, minibus taxi fares Gauteng, Joburg ETC

Every January in Gauteng comes with the same quiet anxiety. Not just school fees or petrol prices, but the daily cost of getting to work, campus or town. In 2026, public transport remains the lifeline for millions across Johannesburg, Tshwane and surrounding areas. The prices are now clearer, but the experience is still mixed depending on where you live and how you travel.

Here is what commuters are actually paying this year, and why the debate around affordability is louder than ever.

A Re Yeng remains the most predictable option

In Tshwane, A Re Yeng continues to offer one of the most transparent fare systems in the province. Prices are strictly distance-based and valid through to 30 June 2026.

Short trips under eight kilometres cost R13, while longer journeys over 48 kilometres top out at R35. Most daily commuters fall somewhere between R19 and R30, depending on distance.

For many Pretoria residents, this reliability is the biggest win. You know the fare before you board, transfers between feeder and trunk routes are allowed within a 30-minute window, and smartcard payments reduce the daily friction that still exists elsewhere.

That said, complaints about accessibility have not gone away. Disability groups have continued to raise concerns about inconsistent accommodation on newer buses, especially during peak hours.

Metrobus frustration grows in Johannesburg

Johannesburg Metrobus tells a different story. While fares are technically zoned and structured, commuter sentiment has grown increasingly negative.

A widely shared example this year is the R32.90 fare from Gandhi Square to Fourways. On similar routes, minibus taxis often charge around R22. Shorter Metrobus trips, such as Gandhi Square to Malvern or Sandringham, come in closer to R18.70, but it is the longer urban routes that have triggered backlash.

Social media complaints regularly focus on one thing: value. When buses cost more than taxis and take longer due to fixed stops, commuters start questioning the point.

Metrobus smartcards cost about R64, although stored value users receive a small discount. Scholars and pensioners may qualify for reduced fares, but many working adults feel caught in the middle.

Gautrain stays premium, but relief is coming

The Gautrain still sits in a category of its own. Fast, clean and reliable, but priced well above most daily transport options.

In 2026, passengers must load a minimum of R38 onto a Gautrain card or use a contactless bank card to travel. Standard commuter trips between major hubs such as Johannesburg Park Station, Sandton and Pretoria generally range between R75 and R100.

Airport trips remain the most expensive, with peak fares between Sandton and OR Tambo sitting at around R248.

However, the big shift this year is the planned introduction of the KlevaMova initiative. From March 2026, qualifying students, pensioners and low-income households are expected to receive discounts of up to 50 percent. This move has been widely welcomed, particularly by students commuting between Pretoria and Johannesburg.

The Gautrain has also extended its R1 per day parking deal until late March 2026, offering some relief to park-and-ride users.

Minibus taxis still win on price

Despite being largely unregulated, minibus taxis remain the most competitive option for many Gauteng commuters.

Short local routes usually cost between R12 and R15, while longer regional trips, such as Pretoria CBD to Johannesburg CBD, sit around R55. Even where municipal buses operate, taxis often undercut them by R5 to R10 per trip.

Annual fare increases of R2 to R5 are common, usually around mid-year when fuel prices fluctuate. While safety and comfort concerns persist, affordability keeps taxis firmly at the centre of Gauteng’s transport ecosystem.

Intercity travel costs continue to climb

For those travelling beyond Gauteng, long-distance bus prices vary widely in 2026.

Trips from Johannesburg to Newcastle generally range from R260 on saver options to around R700 on more flexible tickets. Durban routes average just over R400 on budget services, while Cape Town fares start from about R680.

Luxury and flexible services can push prices well beyond these averages, particularly during peak holiday periods.

What this means for everyday commuters

The real story of public transport prices in Gauteng is not just the numbers. It is the growing gap between cost, convenience and dignity.

Municipal buses offer structure but sometimes lack competitiveness. The Gautrain delivers world-class service but remains out of reach for many without subsidies. Taxis fill the affordability gap but come with their own trade-offs.

As 2026 unfolds, commuters are watching closely to see whether promised discounts, smarter integration and better accessibility finally shift the balance.

For now, most people are still doing what Gauteng commuters have always done: mixing and matching, budgeting trip by trip, and hoping the next fare increase does not land too hard.