Gautrain offers cheap rides and R1 parking

The Gautrain is trying to make public transport more affordable by offering certain passengers 50% off rides and R1 parking.

Recently, the Gautrain launched KlevaMova, a special product offering a 50% discount on train trips to certain South Africans.

These include individuals living in households with a combined household annual income of R350,000 or less, students under 25, scholars, pensioners, and recipients of the South African Social Security Agency’s (SASSA) disability grant.

Transport costs remain one of the highest-cost items for many households, particularly for those located on the periphery of cities, far from economic hubs.

This was confirmed by the Gauteng Household Travel Survey, which found that nearly 60% of households spent more than 10% of their income on public transport in 2019/20, up from 55% in 2014.

“I am pleased to announce that the Gautrain train fares will now be more affordable,” said the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela.

She added that affordable and accessible public transport is crucial for reducing the cost of living for many South Africans, as it significantly impacts household budgets and access to opportunities.

“As a result of South Africa’s historical spatial planning, many people live far from work and opportunities and are faced with high transport costs.”

Diale-Tlabela explained that KlevaMova forms part of the Government’s efforts to make the Gautrain more accessible to a large share of Gauteng’s population and attract a diverse range of passengers across income groups.

These efforts also aim to ensure that cost is not a barrier to accessing an efficient, safe, and convenient public transport service.

The MEC also urged corporates to encourage their qualifying employees to take advantage of the KlevaMova product.

KlevaMova offers eligible customers a 50% discount on Gautrain train fares only, available as Weekly, Monthly and return trip products.

To qualify for the discount, interested individuals must apply by submitting relevant documentation and are subject to an approval and verification process.

In addition to the KlevaMova 50% discount product, the Gautrain announced a significant reduction in parking fares. All passengers may park at a Gautrain station for just R1 a day when they ride the train from 1 April to 31 July 2025.

“Gauteng’s 25-Year Integrated Transport Master Plan (ITMP25) prioritises a passenger rail network as the backbone of the province’s modernised and integrated transport system.”

“Taking more people off the roads will indeed bring numerous benefits, including less road congestion, road accidents, and harmful carbon dioxide emissions.”

Gautrain expansion

While this effort seeks to make public transport more accessible by reducing its cost, it is also likely an effort to boost ridership, which has not recovered since COVID-19.

The Gautrain’s passenger numbers have dropped by over five million in the past four years. Many South Africans now work in remote or hybrid models or prefer private transport.

As a result, demand for the service has declined. In response, Gautrain’s management has considered ways to expand the railway system.

On 26 February 2025, the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Roads and Transport in Gauteng, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, issued a Notice of Route Determination of a Railway Line.

This notice outlined the plans for the Soweto Extension and Cosmo City Junction of the Gauteng Rapid Rail Integrated Network Extension Project.

Nchabeleng and Mphela explained that this project aims to expand the Gautrain network by adding new routes and stations.

The Gautrain is managed by the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) under a Concession Agreement between the Gauteng Provincial Government and a private operator.

It spans an 80-kilometre high-speed commuter rail system and connects Johannesburg, Pretoria, Kempton Park, and OR Tambo International Airport.

It currently has eight stations across Gauteng, excluding the Rhodesfield route for airport travellers. These eight stations are Hatfield, Pretoria, Centurion, Midrand, Marlboro, Sandton, Rosebank and Park.

According to the MEC’s Notice, the proposed railway routes include:

• Little Falls Station to Jabulani Station (Soweto) via Roodepoort Station
• Cosmo City Station to Samrand Station via Fourways Station, Sunninghill Station, and Olievenhoutbosch Station
• Cosmo City Station to Lanseria Station via Cradle Station and Smart City Station