Rea Vaya Commuters Urged to Switch to New Smart Cards Before July Deadline

Rea Vaya bus commuters are being urged to upgrade their smart cards before the 1 July 2025 deadline, as the city’s public transport service moves forward with a major technology upgrade.

Starting from 1 June 2025, the existing blue Rea Vaya smart cards will no longer allow funds to be loaded. Passengers must switch to the new orange Account Based Ticketing (ABT) smart cards, which are being rolled out as part of the city’s R300 million transport upgrade.

The new cards are available at Rea Vaya stations and cost R50. They are required for use with upgraded payment terminals already installed at all stations and buses.

“Commuters are informed that from 1 June they won’t be able to load funds into a blue smart card,” Rea Vaya officials stated. “We advise for the funds in the card to be used up as there will be no refund.”

Why Is Rea Vaya Switching to ABT Smart Cards?

The ABT system is part of a wider strategy to improve fare collection, eliminate cash payments, and enhance transport efficiency and safety. Unlike the older system, the new cards will link commuters’ fares to individual accounts rather than preloaded funds on the card itself.

Passengers are reminded that fare penalties of R30 will apply if they fail to “tap out” correctly at the end of a journey — or do not exit the system within two hours of starting a trip.

What You Need to Know:

• New orange smart cards are mandatory from 1 July 2025

• Blue smart cards will stop accepting funds from 1 June

• No refunds will be given for unused balances

• Fare penalties of R30 apply for incorrect card usage

• Orange cards cost R50 and are available at all stations

Rea Vaya Phase 1C Set to Launch

The switch to the ABT system comes as the City of Johannesburg prepares to finally roll out Phase 1C of the Rea Vaya network — after years of delays due to infrastructure and operational issues.

The city has budgeted R170 million to complete Phase 1C, with ownership and operations under agreements with local taxi associations such as the Alexandra Taxi Association and Alexandra Randburg Midrand Sandton Taxi Association.

Despite past setbacks — including business rescue proceedings for former operator PioTrans in 2023 — the project is now back on track. MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene confirmed that infrastructure is ready, and drivers have been trained to operate the upgraded network safely and professionally.

“The city has invested significant resources in training operators and drivers to enable them to successfully and safely run the new bus operating company,” Kunene said.

For thousands of Joburg commuters, the switch to a new Rea Vaya smart card is not just a technical update — it’s an essential step to avoid fines and ensure smooth travel. Make sure to get your orange ABT smart card before 1 July to stay compliant and enjoy a hassle-free journey on Rea Vaya buses.

{Source: The Citizen}

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