Golden Arrow Bus Services to raise fares from next Monday
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers
Commuters will have to fork out more as Golden Arrow Bus Services has announced a fare increase from next Monday.
While most weekly tickets have stayed under R250, most monthly fares have hit the R1 000 mark.
Golden Arrow spokesperson, Bronwen Dyke-Beyer said it remains mindful of the financial challenges faced by passengers.
'In recent years, we have made a concerted effort to delay annual fare increases beyond the customary December period. For example, instead of implementing a fare increase in December 2023, we absorbed the rising costs until April 2024, and we again deferred the December 2024 increase.'
Dyke-Beyer added that the interim contract the bus service had with the Western Cape Government provides for fare adjustments to rising operational costs.
Dyke-Beyer explained: 'However, due to continued and widespread increases in operating costs across the supply chain, we are no longer able to delay further. As a result, fares will increase by an average of 4 percent, effective August 11, 2025.
She said this increase is essential to maintain Golden Arrow's sustainability and continuity of its services.
Passengers have been urged to make use of the Gold Card, which enables them to access discounted fare options.
For a full list of revised fares, members of the public are urged to contact the Transport Information Centre at 0800 65 64 63.
The new Prasa fares that came into effect on Friday
Image: Prasa
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
Fuel price adjustments: Relief for petrol users, but diesel prices rise
South African motorists will experience a mixed bag of fuel price changes as petrol prices decrease while diesel costs rise. Image: Tumi Pakkies / Independent Newspapers While there will be some relief at the pumps for motorists using petrol-powered vehicles, diesel users will have to fork out more for the fuel. According to a statement from the Central Energy Fund, which acts on behalf of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) in South Africa, the following price adjustments takes place from August 6: Both Grades of Petrol 93 & 95(ULP & LRP) 28,00 cents per litre decrease in retail price Diesel 0.05% Sulphur (65,00) cents per litre increase in wholesale price Diesel 0.005% Sulphur (63,00) cents per litre increase in wholesale price Illuminating Paraffin (Wholesale) (32,00) cents per litre increase in wholesale price Illuminating Paraffin (SMNRP) (43,00) cents per litre increase in the Single Maximum National Retail price (SMNRP) Maximum Retail Price for LPGAS 69,00 cents per kilogram decrease in the maximum retail price The statement said the fuel price adjustments were due to the decrease in the average international product prices for petrol whilst the prices for diesel and illuminating paraffin increased during the period under review. The CEF also said the Rand appreciated against the US Dollar during the period under review, on average, when compared to the previous period. The average Rand/US Dollar exchange ratef or the period 27 June 2025 to 31 July 2025 was 17.7653 compared to 17.8443 during the previous period. 'This led to a lower contribution to the Basic Fuel Prices on petrol,diesel and illuminating paraffin by 4.444 c/l, 5.014 c/l, 4.779c/l respectively.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Meanwhile IOL reports that Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, has revealed that a new programme has been set up to tackle petrol stations that are selling adulterated fuel across the country. The country has been struggling with widespread fuel adulteration and illegal smuggling for several years, costing the country around R 3.6 billion annually. According to the South African Revenue Service (SARS), criminals are mixing diesel with cheaper substances like paraffin and under-declaring fuel imports to evade taxes. In response, government agencies, including SARS and the police, have stepped up joint operations in recent years, shutting down illegal depots and seizing millions of litres of contaminated diesel. However, the problem still persists. In a recent parliamentary reply, Mantashe revealed that the Department has established a fuel sampling and testing programme. The minister added that the department also conducts both random and scheduled fuel sampling and testing to verify compliance. THE MERCURY
IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
Retired Judge Dhaya Pillay's open letter to Nedbank CEO Jason Quinn
Retired Judge Dhaya Pillay shares her frustrating experiences with Nedbank's customer service, highlighting inefficiencies and a lack of respect for customers, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds. Image: Karen Sandison / Independent Newspapers The Chief Executive Officer Nedbank Jason Quinn Dear Mr Quinn, I had the misfortune yet again of having to visit a Nedbank branch. This time it was the Durban North branch on Adelaide Tambo Drive, Durban North. After numerous trips to the branch in Overport City and finally in Durban North, I finally opened an online account for my mother who is 87 years, and who had to traipse with me on every occasion. I opened the online account under a General Power of Attorney. In addition, I signed all the documents that the branch requested. Obviously, I was compliant as I have been operating the online banking service since last year. I had to return to the Durban North branch again yesterday to increase the payment limit. Before leaving home I schooled myself to be patient, polite and not to lose my temper. I did so because every previous experience at both branches had been annoyingly inefficient and time consuming. A visit to the dentist is less formidable; at least with the dentist the pain and suffering is short-lived. Yesterday, I arrived at the Durban North branch at 11.12am and left at 1.15pm. On arrival, I was informed that I would have to wait for 30 to 45 minutes. I waited patiently. Overhearing the frustrations of other customers who had been waiting before me was truly saddening. An elderly woman, unable to operate her banking application, was making several calls to log a complaint against the unhelpfulness of the branch staff. After an hour I was attended to. The banker who attended to me did not introduce herself to me, a fact that I pointed out to her when she kept asking me who had attended to me previously. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Having entered my mother's particulars into her computer, she informed me that she would not be able to increase the limit as there was no record of a General Power of Attorney on file. Furthermore, a Special Power was required. I pointed out that I had given the branch a General Power of Attorney last year and had to wait for several days for it to be considered by Nedbank's legal department. Obviously, I said, that the General Power of Attorney had been approved, and the account was online with the mandate in my favour. The banker was hearing none of this. Without a Special Power of Attorney, she said, she was unable to increase the payment limit. She called the manager. The Manager repeated what the banker said. Instead of finding a solution, she kept insisting that the transaction was not possible. This went on for some time as I stood my ground. (Imagine if I had not!) If the branch could not find a copy of the General Power of Attorney that I had submitted previously, I could not allow its inefficiencies to contaminate my affairs, I protested. Then the Manager said she would have to look for the General Power of Attorney in the back office. Being told that I would have to wait again was not what I wanted to hear. Nevertheless, I did wait. While waiting, I observed another woman who had been waiting for two hours voice her protests. The Manager returned later, again saying that the General Power of Attorney could not be found but that I would have to sign a form for increasing the limit once off. I said I would, but she produced no such form. In any case, that would not have solved the problem because I wanted the limit to be raised permanently. By this time, I was utterly frustrated. Raising my voice, I pointed out the trouble I had taken to ensure that I was properly compliant when opening the online banking account for my mother in 2024. I also pointed out repeatedly that I would not have been able to operate the account if I had not been compliant. That means, if I had not provided a General Power of Attorney. Both the Manager and the banker went on and on about not being able to effect the increase without proof of my mandate. I found a Nedbank indemnity document that had been signed and handed in on October 28, 2024. I pointed out that the document authorised me 'to use the Internet banking service offered by Nedbank and choose the pin…' and at the bottom of the page a footer appeared: 'POA Judge Pillay DOCX page 1 of 2'. Eventually the Manager authorised the increase in the payment limit. She also gave me a copy of an email showing that Nedbank had accepted the General Power of Attorney in 2024. The Manager took a further copy from me. She could have done so from the outset without aggravating my anxiety. On another note, recently, I had to open an estate banking account as the executor of an estate in which the total value is less than R8,000. I attempted to contact the Durban North branch to make an appointment. I left a message for the Manager. Her former colleague informed me that she had also left a message. The Manager did not return my call. While waiting for the banker to complete the paperwork for increasing the limit, I showed the Manager the exchange of WhatsApp messages that I had had with her former colleague. Instead of an apology, the Manager made the lame excuse of probably not being in her office when I called. That would not explain why she did not respond to her former colleague's message. Eventually, I had asked Private Wealth to open the estate banking account on my personal profile. Of course, this means paying the higher bank changes reserved for the elite. Quite clearly, Nedbank is marketing itself outside the reach of ordinary people who cannot meet the standards of private wealth and special treatment. Corporate social responsibility starts at home in the most basic way. Treat customers like human beings with dignity. Waiting for hours on end implies that, for Nedbank, its customers and their time have no value. Everyone who was waiting in that branch was angry, worried or disappointed. Old people who were unable to operate their apps on their cellular phones struggled and came for help. Most of the people waiting were African people. The impression that we customers are unworthy of the Nedbank's care and concern is palpable. The attitude is not 'How can I help' but rather 'No can do' without even an apology. This attitude and treatment are so culturally ingrained that Nedbank will never be able to be able to claw back the market share it loses daily to Capitec. Perhaps Nedbank no longer cares for the small investors. Only the elite will do. I note your hope for 'a better South African economy'. Well, that won't happen if Nedbank customers must waste more than two hours at the branches. Neither will social transformation happen if Nedbank (and others) treat low-income earners as if they and their time have no value. Segmenting customers based on their income and social status is indirect unfair discrimination. I have taken time to write not because I'm hopeful of a culture change at Nedbank branches, because that is what is required. Firing the Manager or anyone else will not eliminate Nedbank's ingrained disrespect for customers. I write to let you as the leader of one of the five major banks in South Africa, and as a member of Nedbank's Group Transformation, Social and Ethics and Group Risk Committees to let you know how customers feel. Don't take my word for it; observe for yourself what goes on in the branches. Now you cannot say 'I didn't know'. Your credibility is on the line. Expensive advertisements and golf days will not change how low-income people feel about Nedbank. But respect for their dignity as customers, as human beings will. Corporate social investment starts at home, in the branches, at the coalface of services. Dhaya Pillay, Judge of the High Court (retired) Commissioner: Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) Durban
IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
What do women want in a car? These are the brands and vehicle types that females prefer in SA
Research shows a higher percentage of women are financing cars. Image: Newspress Toyota has overtaken Volkswagen as the most popular vehicle brand for female new vehicle buyers in South Africa, and Suzuki is fast gaining favour. A recent analysis by Lightstone highlighted the five top-selling vehicle brands among women over the last 10 years. Toyota took the top position in 2023 after placing second in 2019, 2021, and 2022, and third between 2016 and 2018. Ford topped the list in 2017, but has since fallen to fourth place, while Suzuki is now in third position, having only entered the top five in 2022. Nissan currently places fifth among female buyers in South Africa. In the overall new vehicle market, men included, Suzuki now holds second place, behind Toyota but with a narrow lead over Volkswagen. The types of vehicles women are buying: 2015 to 2025. Image: Lightstone The Lightstone analysis also shows what vehicle types females prefer, and this is very much in line with the overall market as SUVs and crossovers take top spot with a share of over 50%. These high riders overtook hatchbacks as the most popular body type in 2021, with the latter now having a share of less than 30%. Sedans have also seen a steady decline over the past decade, overtaken even by double cab bakkies in the early 2020s. Double cabs still have a share of less than 10% among female buyers, however, as do compact bakkies and MPVs. Value also plays a key role in purchasing decisions, WesBank's marketing head Lebo Gaoaketse told Hot FM. 'Women, in particular, are looking for value: vehicles that fit their lifestyles, budgets, and expectations for safety and quality.' Furthermore, research carried by WeBuyCars shows that while men are more interested in power and prestige when buying a car, females tend to prioritise affordability and safety. "Women are more likely to choose hatchbacks and SUVs than men, which may indicate that they value practicality, space and safety when choosing a vehicle type," said Rikus Blomerus, chief marketing officer at WeBuyCars. More women are buying cars But regardless of brand and vehicle type preferences, a positive development is that a greater percentage of females are buying vehicles. An analysis of financing trends shows that females now account for 39% of financed car purchases, up from 32% a decade ago. Female buyers have also shown a strong preference for linked interest rate finance options, at 80% in 2025. The average price of a car financed by a woman in 2024 was R440,000, according to Lightstone, up from R250,000 a decade earlier. 'Women in South Africa are catching up to men in financed car purchases and already lead in homeownership, shifts which reflect their growing socio-economic independence,' Lightstone said. IOL Motoring
