HIGH diesel costs force Cape Town to increase MyCiTi bus fares from 1 July 2026.
MMC for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, said the city can no longer protect commuters from the escalating diesel prices.
"We've tried our utmost best to protect our MyCiTi commuters for as long as possible against the sky-high diesel prices and we're still trying. Unfortunately, we can't do so much longer," he said.
The city said it has protected MyCiTi commuters from fuel hikes since March and will continue doing so in June.
Quintas said commuters will still save money in June.
However, from July, fares could rise if diesel prices remain high.
The city warned that fares could increase by at least 32%. This depends on the fuel price announcement by national government on 3 June 2026.
Quintas said global conflict, especially in the Middle East, makes fuel prices unstable.
"The conflict in the Middle East is causing genuine hardship for ordinary people around the world, especially the most vulnerable people in society," he said.
He added that even if fares go up, MyCiTi will still be cheaper than driving a private car. It'll also be cheaper than taxis and other bus services for monthly long-distance commuters.
The proposed new fare levels were adopted by the Portfolio Committee on Urban Mobility. They will now go before full council for approval on 27 May.
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Cape Town commuters are worried about the increase.
This comes a week after taxi fares also increased across the city.
Many commuters say enough is enough.
Some commuters told Daily Sun they're now thinking of going back to trains because transport costs are becoming too much.
One Khayelitsha resident, Malibongwe Lubisi, said he's already paying a lot for taxis every month.
"From Khayelitsha to Cape Town, I pay R1 400 a month for taxis, while the train costs only R250. I know it comes with inconveniences, but next month I will give it a try," he said.
He added that if MyCiTi is also increasing fares, then people won't have any option.
Mary Musiya, who uses MyCiTi bus from Century City to Melkbosstrand where she works as a maid, said the increase will hit her pockets.
"Already if I load R100 in my MyCiTi card, I only go to work for two days and the points would be finished. This means in July I'll be loading more money," she said.
Commuters said the biggest problem is that salaries stay the same while transport, food and other basics keep going up.
The increase will also affect passengers using the Dial-a-Ride service.
The city said commuters will be told the exact new fares after the government announces the latest diesel price next week.
