Gautrain announces fare increase

Gautrain has announced revisions to its fare structure which will come into effect on 1 June.

Operations executive in the Bombela Concession Company, Errol Braithwaite, said that the Gautrain will introduce a multi-tiered fare structure.

The orange fares reflect an increase of between about 5 percent and 9 percent on the previous year’s fares with the aim of making shorter trips more attractive.

•  Orange fares will be 10 percent cheaper than red fares. Green fares will be 30 percent cheaper than red fares.

•  Green fares are applicable before 6am; between 8.30am and 3.30pm; or after 6pm.

•  Red fares will only be applicable during the morning peak hour (6.30am until 7.30am) and also only in the peak demand directions: south-bound and west-bound.

•  Orange fees will be applicable at all other times.

•  Bus fares will remain unchanged.

•  Airport-service train fares will increase by R10 per trip, while the daily parking tariff will increase by only R3, from R15 to R18.

Braithwaite said that the increase in the off-peak discount is part of an ongoing strategy to grow overall patronage by incentivising off-peak travel. This is being implemented in tandem with the introduction of additional train capacity during peak periods.

The green off-peak discounts are a significant incentive for commuters to explore flexible commuting hours and will apply to pay-as-you-go fares.

A passenger who buys a pay-as-you-go ticket for a single trip from Hatfield Station in Tshwane to Park Station – the longest possible trip on the Gautrain – will now pay R68 during the red period, R62 during the orange period and only R49 during the green period.

Period products will also continue to offer substantial benefits to regular commuters, with trips on a 35-day ticket (44 trips) offering a 24 percent discount (on average), and those on a seven-day ticket (10 trips) a 17 percent discount compared to the red peak period fare.

Details: www.gautrain.co.za or 0800 (GAUTRAIN) 428 87246.