By Mapaballo Borotho
- PUTCO and several Johannesburg taxi associations are set to increase fares in June following recent fuel price hikes.
- Commuters in areas including Randburg, Honeydew, Diepsloot and Rosebank are expected to pay more for transport.
- Taxi industry leaders say the increases are necessary to keep operations financially sustainable amid rising fuel costs.
Bus company PUTCO is set to implement an average 10% fuel-related fare increase from 1 June 2026 following recent fuel hikes that have pushed petrol and diesel prices to unprecedented levels.
However, PUTCO is not the only public transport operator implementing price increases, as several Johannesburg taxi associations are also expected to raise fares.
Commuters using taxis in Johannesburg suburbs, including Randburg, Honeydew, Cresta, Diepsloot, Bryanston, and Rosebank, should brace themselves for higher taxi fares next month.
South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) national spokesperson Rebecca Phala said taxi associations are adjusting fares within approved ranges to remain financially sustainable.
“We haven’t fully recovered since COVID-19, and the taxi industry is struggling. Why is it taking so long for the government to subsidise an industry that transports 15 million passengers daily?” she asked.
The continued rise in fuel prices has largely been driven by ongoing geopolitical tensions that have destabilised international energy markets and ultimately impacted local fuel costs.
PUTCO said that following the latest fuel increase implemented on 6 May 2026, diesel prices rose to approximately R32 per litre, placing severe pressure on the company’s operational sustainability.
“However, in line with its continued commitment to affordable public transport, PUTCO has once again taken the decision to implement a significantly lower adjustment in order to cushion passengers from the full financial impact of escalating fuel costs,” said PUTCO spokesperson Lindokuhle Xulu.
Xulu added that the implementation of the fuel-related fare adjustment is a necessary measure to ensure the continued provision of reliable transport services across PUTCO’s operating regions.
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