Gautrain cuts train fares by 50% for vulnerable households and individuals
Image: Chris Collingridge / Independent Media.
The Gautrain has introduced KlevaMova, an initiative providing a 50% discount on train fares for students, pensioners, recipients of disability grants and households with a combined annual income of R350,000 or less.
In a joint statement last week, the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, and the Gautrain Management Agency said the move aims to ease the financial burden of travel and improve access to affordable public transport across the province.
The announcement comes as transport continue to add pressure point for many households.
According to the Gauteng Household Travel Survey, almost 60% of households spent more than 10% of their income on public transport in 2019/20, up from 55% in 2014.
Diale-Tlabela added that affordable and accessible public transport is crucial for reducing the cost of living for many South Africans, as it significantly impacts household budgets and access to opportunities.
You are eligible to apply for 50% off your train fare if you earn up to R350k annually. Visit https://t.co/XWhgstpZA4 , call 0800 428 87246 (toll-free) or visit our friendly promoters at your nearest Gautrain station. Ts & Cs apply. #GautrainKlevaMova #KlevaMova pic.twitter.com/kJvrRWHcoO — Gautrain (@TheGautrain) May 6, 2025
'As a result of South Africa's historical spatial planning, many people live far from work and opportunities and are faced with high transport costs,' said Diale-Tlabela.
She mentioned that KlevaMova is part of the government's initiative to improve the accessibility of the Gautrain for a larger segment of the population in Gauteng.
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 ✕
'KlevaMova forms part of the Government's efforts to make the Gautrain more accessible to a large share of the population in Gauteng, attract a diverse range of passengers across income groups, and ensure that cost is not a barrier to accessing an efficient, safe, and convenient public transport service,' She said.
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
an hour ago
- eNCA
SAYTA calls for govt to address youth unemployment
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's unemployment rate continues to be a major concern. In the second quarter, joblessness rose to 33.2%, with youth unemployment stubbornly high at 46.1%. Amid these bleak figures, many South Africans say they are tired of speeches and promises from government leaders. They call on government to use the National Dialogue to address youth unemployment.
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
More banks join Home Affairs' digital drive for IDs and passports
Mthobisi Nozulela | Published 2 days ago The Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, has announced that two more banks have signed up to join the Department's digital partnership to offer Smart ID and passport services, further expanding access for South Africans across the country. IOL previously reported that Home Affairs had teamed up with Capitec and FNB to offer these services at hundreds of bank branches across the country. Schreiber revealed that he had also extended an invitation to the CEOs of other major banks, including ABSA, Discovery Bank, Standard Bank, and others, to join the initiative and help broaden access even further. According to the department, more banks have now joined the partnership, including ABSA, Discovery Bank, and Standard Bank, bringing the total number of participating banks to five. "Capitec, First National Bank, Standard Bank, ABSA Bank, Discovery Bank. We anticipate that over 840 bank branches will provide Smart ID and Passport services nationwide within 12 months." Ministerial spokesperson Duwayne Esau said. However, while the move has been welcomed by many, some critics have raised concerns about the cost and efficiency of the expanded service delivery model. The Department of Home Affairs has moved to allay these fears, with Esau saying that the rollout will not cost taxpayers extra and is fully funded by fees paid by participating banks. "Zero. Home Affairs has upgraded the Online Verification Service (OVS) that is already used by the financial sector to verify the identity of clients," Esau said. "And has adjusted the fees that the private sector pays to use this service in order to fund maintenance into the future without burdening taxpayers. The same OVS system forms the backbone for rolling out biometrically-secured access points to process Smart ID and Passport applications without human intervention in many more bank branches and on digital apps". Esau also noted that the previous model offered limited access in rural and underserved areas, with only 218 Home Affairs offices and 30 bank branches, mostly in urban centres. "There were only 218 Home Affairs offices and 30 bank branches in the whole country, mostly in urban areas, that provided Smart ID and Passport services. "Through this digital reform, that total number will grow by over 300% to over 1,000 service points located in Home Affairs offices and bank branches across the length and breadth of South Africa, with a focus on rural and underserved communities" [email protected] IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
The Citizen
12 hours ago
- The Citizen
Here's why gambling can't help you get rid of debt
Although some people win big, gambling is more likely to make you sink deeper into debt. Many South African consumers have turned to gambling to fix their finances, but unfortunately, experts say this is definitely not the answer. All income groups are suffering financially and battling with debt, and cannot be blamed for thinking they will try just once to win a little money. As consumers grapple with the pressure of rising living costs, high unemployment and economic uncertainty, more people are turning to gambling in the hopes of a quick financial fix. However, Niresh Gopichand, risk director at Atlas Finance, warns that gambling is a dangerous illusion that often worsens financial distress rather than solving it. According to the National Gambling Board's latest annual report, South Africans wagered R1.14 trillion during the financial year that ended on 31 March 2024. In addition, the 2024 Old Mutual Savings and Investment Monitor shows that 36% of South Africans who gamble say they do so to pay off debts or cover living expenses. This figure climbs to 41% among low-income consumers earning between R8 000 and R15 000 per month, revealing a troubling reliance on gambling as a financial coping mechanism. ALSO READ: Gambling addiction referrals rise 40% as billions spent on betting advertising Gambling not the answer 'Many South Africans are misled into believing that gambling can generate income or cover existing debts but in reality, this approach traps people in a dangerous cycle of debt.' The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) also says that gambling is no longer casual entertainment for many consumers but is becoming a desperate attempt to survive. 'People seeking help are either employed full-time, part-time or self-employed, which tells us that their gambling was not for entertainment but became a problem as soon as their gambling intent became a source of a secondary income due to the tough socio-economic conditions they found themselves in,' Sibongile Simelane-Quntana of the SARGF said in media reports. Gopichand says while the root causes of increased gambling include economic hardship, limited opportunity and a lack of financial literacy, he stresses that more sustainable and constructive financial steps are available. ALSO READ: Online gambling and betting advertising non-compliant with Gambling Act — minister How to avoid debt trap without depending on gambling wins He offers these practical alternatives to avoid the debt trap and reduce financial vulnerability: Responsible borrowing: Do not borrow to gamble. Short-term loans are meant to cover unexpected expenses, such as urgent medical bills or essential home repairs. Always assess your need, borrow only what you need and what you can afford to pay back. Also ensure your credit provider is registered with the National Credit Regulator (NCR). Do not borrow to gamble. Short-term loans are meant to cover unexpected expenses, such as urgent medical bills or essential home repairs. Always assess your need, borrow only what you need and what you can afford to pay back. Also ensure your credit provider is registered with the National Credit Regulator (NCR). Community savings: Join or start a stokvel. These savings clubs provide both financial discipline and social support, encouraging members to save consistently and avoid risky financial decisions. Join or start a stokvel. These savings clubs provide both financial discipline and social support, encouraging members to save consistently and avoid risky financial decisions. Seek financial advice: If you are overwhelmed by debt, options like debt consolidation or formal debt review can help make repayments more manageable and protect you from legal action. It is important to speak to a registered financial advisor or debt counsellor who can guide you through the best solution for your situation and help you avoid costly mistakes. Gambling will not solve indebtedness, Gopichand emphasises. If you are overwhelmed by debt, options like debt consolidation or formal debt review can help make repayments more manageable and protect you from legal action. It is important to speak to a registered financial advisor or debt counsellor who can guide you through the best solution for your situation and help you avoid costly mistakes. Gambling will not solve indebtedness, Gopichand emphasises. Start an emergency savings fund: Start small but start now. Even putting aside R50 a week can build a basic safety net over time, helping you avoid desperation-driven decisions in the future. 'Financial wellbeing does not come from chance but starts with small, realistic steps, not risky bets,' Gopichand says. ALSO READ: Did you know online gambling is illegal in SA? Here are plans to stop it Surveys show that gambling has become a problem in SA Vuyokazi Mabude, head of knowledge and insights at Old Mutual, points out that gambling was also an area of concern identified in the 2025 Old Mutual Savings & Investment Monitor, an annual study that tracks the financial attitudes, behaviours and priorities of working South Africans earning a minimum of R8 000 per month. He says 52% of working South Africans reported gambling, with 40% admitting they do so in the hope of covering expenses or repaying debt. 'This trend suggests that while some are making proactive choices, others remain vulnerable and are turning to risky behaviour to bridge financial gaps.' Neil Roets, CEO of Debt Rescue, also noted the problem gambling has become. 'On the back of the financial travails that plague millions of South African households, a mammoth new social ill has reared its ugly head and it is far bigger than most realise.' He points out that online gambling has seen a 550% increase in only four years with no sign of stopping, reaching a turnover of R1.14-trillion in the 2023/24 year, or nearly 17% of gross domestic product (GDP). The best available research shows that it is mainly low-income South Africans who gamble away an astonishing share of their monthly pay, out of sheer desperation, undoubtedly hoping for big winnings that will somehow transform their circumstances. ALSO READ: Gambling addiction and the issue of accountability Then there are the hidden costs John Manyike, head of financial education at Old Mutual also points out the hidden costs of gambling. South Africans place over R1 trillion in bets annually, with R700 billion spent on sports betting alone. 'For many, particularly those with limited financial resources, the appeal of a big win can be incredibly tempting. However, the reality is often more complex. Instead of earning easy money, people who indulge in excessive gambling frequently face financial strain.' In March, an online betting platform shared a story of someone turning a R4 wager into an astounding R83 701.54. But while stories like this grab attention, the increase in online sports betting also brings important considerations. According to the National Gambling Board's 2022/23 gambling statistics, sports betting in South Africa expanded significantly over the past decade, growing from under 10% of the gambling sector in 2009/10 to over half in 2022/23. ALSO READ: R1.1 trillion worth of online bets in a year: Does SA need to rein in digital gambling? 38% of gamblers need winnings to pay off debt Manyike says what stands out is that 36% of people who gamble do it to pay off debts or cover expenses and among low-income earners earning between R8 000 and R15 000 per month, this figure increases to 41%, highlighting a concerning trend. Despite the rising cost of living and economic pressure, gambling has gained popularity, particularly due to the widespread use of mobile phones and internet access. Manyike says this is especially evident among young African men. Advertising from betting companies further fuels this trend, increasing participation within this demographic. 'This can be risky, particularly for young people and low-income earners, who may see gambling as a way to improve their financial situation. However, losses can add up quickly, sometimes leading to financial stress. 'In a country already facing high unemployment and economic challenges, it is important to be aware of the potential financial pitfalls of gambling.' ALSO READ: 'Let's make gambling safer': New bill targets unfair online gambling practices Unlike investing, gambling based purely on luck He points out that unlike investing, gambling is based purely on luck, although many believe they can develop a winning approach. 'The truth is that the house edge ensures that bookmakers maintain a profit over time. 'For instance, when odds are at -110 on both sides of a bet, a better must risk R110 to win R100, meaning even skilled bettors face a statistical disadvantage in the long run. The belief that the system can be beaten can lead to risky financial decisions. 'Beyond financial losses, gambling can also take a psychological toll. It can lead to stress, anxiety and even a cycle of chasing previous bets in the hope of recovering losses.' The University of Cape Town's department of psychiatry and mental health noted a significant association between suicidality and pathological gambling in a study in 2016. It found that pathological gamblers were five to 10 times more likely to have a history of suicide attempts than non-gamblers. In addition, gambling does not just affect individuals. 'It can have ripple effects on families, sometimes resulting in financial strain for loved ones. While gambling is legal, many people do not fully understand the long-term risks involved due to a lack of financial education.' ALSO READ: WATCH: Women and pensioners among 'vulnerable' groups, says Gauteng Gambling Board If your gambling is pushing up your debt, seek help People who feel their gambling habits might be affecting their financial well-being should find help, Manyike says. The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation offers free and confidential counselling services, while professional counsellors who specialise in gambling addiction can provide guidance.
