logo
PRASA to implement travel fare increase for first time in 10 years

PRASA to implement travel fare increase for first time in 10 years

Eyewitness News6 days ago
JOHANNESBURG - The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) will be implementing travel fare increases for the first time in 10 years.
The rail agency will make the changes from the beginning of August.
The agency said single trips will increase by R2.50 and return tickets will go up by R5.50 to R6.
PRASA said it's making these changes to be able to fund critical operational needs, such as energy and maintenance costs.
It said it also needs to strengthen security measures at stations and on trains by adding staff with the use of technology.
This comes as the rail agency has faced much public criticism from political parties about a slew of corruption allegations.
Most recently, ActionSA revealed that R2.5 billion was spent on a project to refurbish the old yellow trains, which was not done.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

UCV condemns PRASA fare increases as a direct attack on vulnerable communities
UCV condemns PRASA fare increases as a direct attack on vulnerable communities

IOL News

time3 days ago

  • IOL News

UCV condemns PRASA fare increases as a direct attack on vulnerable communities

The United Commuters' Voice (UCV) has strongly condemned the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) for its newly announced fare increases, calling them 'a direct attack on the vulnerable community.' PRASA announced the increases on July 16, with implementation set for August 1. Ticket prices will rise by up to R2.50 for single trips and over R100 for monthly tickets in some zones. UCV said the increases are unaffordable and disproportionately affect the poorest members of society who rely on trains as their primary mode of transport. 'These increases represent a severe financial burden on the poorest members of society, undermining the very constitutional mandate that PRASA was established to uphold,' said UCV in a statement.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis slams Cape Town's wealthy property owners
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis slams Cape Town's wealthy property owners

The South African

time5 days ago

  • The South African

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis slams Cape Town's wealthy property owners

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has launched a strong defence of the city's newly implemented municipal charge reforms, following a legal challenge by the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA), which represents some of the country's wealthiest commercial real estate stakeholders. SAPOA has taken the City of Cape Town to the High Court, seeking a review of a key feature in the City's 2025/26 'Invested in Hope' budget: the decision to link fixed municipal service charges – such as for water and electricity infrastructure – to property value rather than applying flat rates across the board. Hill-Lewis has criticised SAPOA's position, stating that its objection to the new charge model is an attempt by large-scale property owners to avoid paying their fair share. 'They argue that the biggest property owners should pay the same as low-income families. That is simply regressive and patently unfair,' said Hill-Lewis. The mayor emphasised that the policy change was designed to protect lower-income households, particularly homes valued below R2.5 million, while ensuring that higher-value properties contribute more equitably to maintaining the city's public infrastructure. The city scrapped its old 'pipe levy' model, which based charges on the size of a property's water connection – a system Hill-Lewis said unfairly charged small homes and luxury mansions the same fixed fees. 'Our new model aligns charges with the value of the property, which is a more accurate reflection of a household's or business's ability to pay,' he said. The change supports Cape Town's planned R40 billion infrastructure investment over the next three years, which the city says is necessary to maintain and expand vital services across all communities. SAPOA argues that the policy is legally questionable and will place undue pressure on commercial property owners and investors. The association is seeking a court ruling to overturn the implementation of the value-based charge system. However, Hill-Lewis dismissed SAPOA's court bid as an attempt to 'go back to a system where ordinary families subsidise the wealthiest portfolio holders in the country.' The mayor also defended the principle of cross-subsidisation, stating that all residents – especially those with the financial means – have a responsibility to support equitable infrastructure development. 'Even households with solar panels or boreholes rely on the City's infrastructure in emergencies. Fixed infrastructure costs exist whether people consume services or not.' He explained that a flat charge, as SAPOA prefers, would disproportionately affect poorer households, taking up a much larger percentage of their income compared to wealthier residents. Hill-Lewis said the city had consulted with SAPOA and other stakeholders throughout the budgeting process. While SAPOA acknowledged the city's infrastructure needs, it failed to offer any workable alternative to the current approach. The city maintains that linking charges to property values is both legally sound and socially responsible, and plans to defend the policy in court. 'Cape Town must remain a city of hope,' Hill-Lewis concluded. 'To do that, everyone must contribute fairly to the systems that serve us all.' The High Court is expected to hear the matter in the coming weeks. If SAPOA succeeds, the ruling could set a precedent for how municipalities across South Africa structure their service charges in the future. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

PRASA hikes Metrorail ticket prices: Here's how much MORE you'll pay
PRASA hikes Metrorail ticket prices: Here's how much MORE you'll pay

The South African

time6 days ago

  • The South African

PRASA hikes Metrorail ticket prices: Here's how much MORE you'll pay

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has announced that it will adjust Metrorail ticket prices for the first time in 10 years, with the changes set to take effect on 1 August 2025. PRASA said the decision to raise fares was taken after comprehensive stakeholder consultations held back in 2023 and has received the green light from the Department of Transport. 'Fares have remained unchanged since 2015. This is the first adjustment in a decade,' PRASA noted. Under the new pricing structure: Single tickets will increase by R2.50 will increase by Return tickets will rise by between R5.50 to R6.00, depending on the distance and zone The revenue generated from the fare hike will go toward essential operational costs, including energy bills, rail maintenance, and improved safety and security at stations and on board trains. 'Even with this fare adjustment, PRASA Rail fares remain the most affordable across all modes of public transport,' said PRASA Rail CEO Nwabisa Gqamane-Ntiyane. 'We are committed to providing affordable, safe, and efficient commuter services.' Return of weekly and monthly tickets PRASA Rail also announced the reintroduction of weekly and monthly tickets, offering significant savings for regular commuters. Off-peak discounts still apply Passengers travelling between 09:00 and 14:00 will continue to benefit from 40% to 50% discounts during off-peak hours. PRASA has long faced criticism for service disruptions, infrastructure decay, and security concerns. This fare increase is part of its long-term strategy to restore financial sustainability and improve service quality on South Africa's most critical commuter rail network. Despite the fare hike, PRASA insists that rail remains the most economical transport option for millions of working-class South Africans who rely on it daily. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store