MyCiTi fares could jump by almost a third from July

Cape Town’s MyCiTi public bus service fares could increase by at least 32% from July 2026 as the city grapples with sharply higher diesel costs linked to global oil market pressures.

The city noted in a statement issued on Friday that the fare adjustment would depend on the diesel price announced by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources on the first Wednesday in June.

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The city says it has absorbed exceptional diesel price increases since March and will continue shielding commuters through June, but warns that it may no longer be able to sustain the added costs beyond that point.

The city’s mayoral committee member for urban mobility Rob Quintas says commuters are being informed weeks in advance to allow them time to budget for a likely increase.

“We have tried our utmost best to protect our MyCiTi commuters for as long as possible against the sky-high diesel prices and we are still trying. Unfortunately, we cannot do so for much longer,” he says.

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The city is preparing for the possibility of even higher diesel prices in the coming months amid geopolitical uncertainty and conflict in the Middle East.

The conflict, which began in late February, has sent energy, food and fertiliser costs higher, and disrupted trade through the Strait of Hormuz – a vital waterway for about 20% of global seaborne oil.

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South Africa, like many of its African peers, has raised fuel prices but moved to suspend fuel levies to ease pressure on consumers.

The city notes that the new MyCiti fare levels adopted by the Portfolio Committee on Urban Mobility make provision for a diesel price of up to R40.75 per litre.

The recommendation is due to serve before council for approval at its meeting on Wednesday, 27 May 2026.

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Any fare increase would also apply to the Dial-a-Ride service for people with disabilities who cannot access mainstream public transport, the city notes.

The conflict in the Middle East is creating hardship for vulnerable communities globally, but Quintas says MyCiTi would remain competitively priced even after a potential increase.

“Even after an increase, MyCiTi will remain one of the most affordable road-based public transport services in Cape Town, and is still far cheaper than driving in your private car and cheaper than taxis and other bus services for monthly long-distance commuters.”

The city will confirm whether fares will increase, and by how much, after government announces the new diesel price on Wednesday, 3 June.

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