The City’s Urban Mobility Directorate wants to notify MyCiTi commuters about the upcoming annual fare increase so that households can budget ahead. The increase will take effect on 1 July 2026 and is intended to ensure the long-term sustainability of the service. Apart from real operating costs such as high fuel prices and maintenance expenditure, the City is also under pressure due to imminent funding cuts from the National Government. To date, the City has absorbed the cost of the high diesel price, unfortunately, it cannot do so any longer.

The City wants to inform commuters that the MyCiTi fares will increase on 1 July 2026, subject to Council approval of the draft budget at its meeting on 29 June 2026.

• The new fares take into account the overall cost of providing the service for the next twelve months, this includes all operational costs such as fuel, maintenance, parts, tyres, and so forth
• The last adjustment to the Monthly Pass fare was in 2024 with a mere R10. Increases prior to 2024 were also below sustainable levels. As such, the fare increase on 1 July is unavoidable
• The fare increases also take into account imminent funding cuts from the National Government; and to ensure the sustainability of the service over the long-term
• The City has absorbed the costs of the exceptional increases in the diesel price since March this year. We have protected MyCiTi commuters from the devastating impact for four months already at a cost of about R9,1 million per month.

‘No sector has been unaffected by the increasing costs of fuel as a result of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. MyCiTi is no exception. Our operational costs in providing a world class public transport offering, matched with fuel price increases have informed our current fare adjustments.

‘We will however monitor the fluctuations in the fuel price and adjust our fares accordingly at the first viable opportunity in order to provide relief for our commuters while ensuring the sustainability of the service and to keep buses operating on all routes.

‘It is also important to note that MyCiTi remains a subsidised public service and that the City does not make any profit in providing this to commuters.

‘MyCiTi remains one of the most affordable public transport services, especially when you travel outside of the peak periods – that is before 06:45 or after 08:00 on weekday mornings; or before 16:15 and after 17:30 on weekday afternoons. The cheaper fares also apply all day on weekends, as well as on public holidays,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

The fare increases are as follows:

• Between 38% to 45% for the 0 to 20km distance band
• Between 32% and 37% for longer distances
• 50% increase in the Monthly Pass from R1 000 to R1 500

‘The increase in the Monthly Pass is being adjusted in line with sustainability. This pass remains good value for money for those commuters who travel long distances on a daily basis,’ said Councillor Quintas.

The new fares will apply as from 1 July 2026, upon Council approval of the draft budget on 29 June 2026.