Minibus taxi commuters in the Western Cape will pay between R2 and R5 more per local trip from next week, after the SA National Taxi Council confirmed new fare increases driven by rising fuel costs and mounting operational pressure on operators.
SANTACO Western Cape announced the adjustments this week, with local trip increases varying by route. Long-distance routes are also affected, with the single trip to the Eastern Cape rising from R1,000 to R1,150 and the Thursday special trip increasing from R1,250 to R1,400.
The Saldanha route single fare moves from R1,000 to R1,200, with the special fare rising from R1,300 to R1,450.
What is driving the increases
SANTACO cited ongoing fuel price pressures and the rising cost of maintaining and running vehicles as the primary reasons for the adjustment. As reported by IOL, operators have linked a portion of those fuel cost increases to conflict in the Middle East, which has kept global oil prices elevated.
Taxi operators said in statements this week that they regret the financial burden placed on commuters but argued the increases are unavoidable given the margins operators are working within.
The fare adjustments come at a difficult time for Cape Town households. Commuters interviewed by EWN expressed frustration, noting that transport costs compound already rising grocery bills and electricity charges.
For many working-class households in the Western Cape, the minibus taxi remains the only viable commuting option, which means the fare increase is effectively non-negotiable.
The routes affected and the new pricing
Local trips across the Western Cape will increase by between R2 and R5, depending on the route. For commuters making two trips daily, five days a week, a R3 average increase translates to roughly R130 more per month in transport costs alone.
On long-distance routes, the picture is steeper. The Cape Town to Eastern Cape single ticket rises by R150. The special midweek and Thursday fares increase by between R100 and R150 per journey.
Travellers using the Saldanha route will pay R200 more on the single fare and R150 more on the special.
What happens next
The new fares take effect next week. SANTACO has not indicated any review period or mechanism for commuters to formally contest the adjustments. The Western Cape’s taxi fare structure is typically revisited when SANTACO conducts its next national review, which is linked to fuel price movements at the petrol pump.
With South Africa’s fuel prices remaining volatile month to month, further adjustments before the end of the year are not unlikely.
