Cape Town Commuters Face Up to 50% MyCiTi Bus Fare Increases From July

• Regular MyCiTi bus passengers will face steep fare increases ranging between 32% and 50% starting next month
• Diesel price increases and upcoming national budget cuts mean the city can't subsidise the public transport network on its own anymore
• The proposed changes are awaiting official confirmation during the upcoming City Council meeting on Monday
• Briefly News spoke with Cape Town MyCiTi commuter Natalia Nombewu about the looming bus fare increases of up to 50% starting this July

Cape Town residents are bracing for a major increase in the cost of travelling around the metro. The City’s Urban Mobility Directorate announced that new annual MyCiTi bus fares are set to take effect on 1 July 2026. The price adjustments will severely impact daily travel expenses for thousands of regular passengers.

Fare adjustments for short and long-distance commuters

Details published by TopAuto on 25 June 2026 show the local government has been paying around R9.1 million a month since March to protect the public from global fuel shocks. However, officials stated that keeping prices down is no longer sustainable. Commuters travelling distances between 0km and 20km will see ticket fees jump by 38% to 45%. Meanwhile, longer routes are expected to increase by 32% to 37%.

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Monthly bus passes skyrocket by hundreds of rands from July

The steepest adjustment hits long-distance workers who rely on continuous travel packages. The price of a standard monthly pass will skyrocket by 50%, moving from R1,000 up to R1,500. Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility Rob Quintas explained that the global conflict in the Middle East has impacted local operation costs, including tyres, maintenance, and vehicle parts. Despite the dramatic hikes, Quintas maintained that off-peak travel and weekend trips remain the most affordable option for locals.

Rising transport costs and the strain on commuter budgets

The Briefly News team spoke with Natalia to hear how these drastic price hikes will impact her daily travel expenses and household budget.

We asked what her reaction is to the news of a 50% fare increase for MyCiTi buses. She shared:

“I am shocked and devastated. A jump of that size is steep, especially at a time when our salaries are staying the same while food and electricity prices are also climbing.”

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The team asked how the price hike would change her daily commute and household budget.

“It means I will have to sacrifice other basic needs just to afford my trips to work. I rely on the bus every single day; this extra expense will cut directly into my monthly grocery and savings budget.”

When asked if he thinks commuters will look for alternative transport options because of this. She responded:

“Oh yes, but our options are limited. Many of us use MyCiTi because it is clean, safe, and reliable. Being priced out of a good service feels like we are being punished just for trying to travel safely.”

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Source: Briefly News