Gautrain prices hiked

The Gautrain this week published the new fees for the commuter-rail service for the 2024/2025 period.

The new ticket prices and penalty fees took effect on Saturday, 1 June 2024.

Higher prices across the board

As in 2023, the “High Peak” Gautrain fares will remain suspended until further notice, with users paying either Peak or Off-Peak prices when making use of the Gautrain, depending on when they travel.

For the upcoming year, Off-Peak rates start at R29 for the most affordable trip from Hatfield to Pretoria station, going up to R248 for Hatfield to OR Tambo airport, reflecting an increase of R2 and R14, respectively.

These prices are valid between opening time and 06h00, 08h30 and 15h00, and 18h30 and closing time, based on a rider’s time of entry.

Peak rates now start at R36, up R2, and are similarly capped at R248, a surge of R14.

These prices are valid between 06h00 and 08h30, and 15h00 and 18h30, based on a rider’s time of entry.

Customers of the Gautrain’s “Train Products” are also paying more for their usage from June onwards.

Those who purchase the Weekly Train Product, which includes 10 trips valid for 10 days, must now spend anywhere from R333 (+R18) to R916 (+R55), depending on their selected routes.

The Monthly Train Product, comprising 44 trips valid for 44 days, now ranges between R1,347 (+R75) and R3,703 (+R224).

Users who rely on the Single Trip Product will be charged the same Peak rates as pay-as-you-go riders.

Parking costs and bus fares have also increased.

Commuters who park their cars at Gautrain stations during the day will now pay anywhere from R20 to R1,340, depending on how long they used the facility, up from R18 to R1,260 in 2023.

Those who park their cars longer than 10 days must then pay an additional R134 per day, compared to R126 per day last year.

Meanwhile, bus fares saw an incremental increase of R1 for rail users and R2 for non-rail users.

Apart from the travelling costs, several other fees relating to Gautrain services have been hiked.

While the Gautrain Card still costs R20, it is now only allowed a minimum balance of R36, up from R34, to cover the cost of the cheapest journey.

Furthermore, the Penalty Fees for various levels of offences have been increased by R20 across the board.

For a Level 1 offence, which encompasses non-visible fare evasion, a perpetrator will now pay a fine of R500.

Visible fare evasions, labelled a Level 2 offence, attract a fee of R620; and safety and security violations (Level 3 offence) go as high as R860.

Offenders who pay their fines within the first 30 days will see them slashed by 50%.