The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) has announced a bold new initiative to make the Gautrain more affordable for residents across the province. According to Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tabela, the fare reductions are set to begin in March 2026 as part of a broader effort to improve access to public transport and ease the financial burden on commuters.

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Speaking at Johannesburg Park Station, Diale-Tabela emphasized the importance of making the high-speed rail service more inclusive. “Gautrain has been out of reach for many ordinary residents due to financial constraints,” she noted. “Our goal is to transform this world-class transport system into a truly accessible public asset.”

Addressing Affordability Through KlevaMova

This announcement builds on recent efforts by the Gautrain Management Agency to improve affordability, including the launch of the KlevaMova programme, a fare relief initiative targeting financially vulnerable groups. Under this scheme, qualified passengers — including scholars, pensioners, students under 25, disability grant recipients, and those living in households earning less than R350,000 per year — receive a 50% discount on weekly, monthly, and return tickets.

Diale-Tabela urged eligible commuters to take advantage of the KlevaMova programme. “We encourage people to check their eligibility and apply by submitting the necessary documents,” she said. Commuters can find out more through Gautrain’s official website, toll-free number, or by visiting one of its stations.

Gautrain also already offers a 25% student discount on its 10-trip and 44-trip products, highlighting a growing commitment to affordability.

Broader Vision: Reducing the Cost of Living

Reducing transport costs forms a key part of the GPG’s strategy to address the high cost of living in Gauteng. Diale-Tabela noted that due to historical spatial planning in South Africa, many people live far from economic hubs and job opportunities. As a result, a significant portion of household income is spent on travel.

“Affordable public transport is not just a convenience — it’s a necessity for enabling equitable access to work, education, and healthcare,” she said. Businesses were also encouraged to support employees who qualify for discounted fares by promoting enrolment in KlevaMova.

Expansion of the Gautrain Network

In addition to lowering fares, the provincial government has ambitious plans to expand the Gautrain network by an additional 150km, more than doubling its current length of 80km. The expansion will bring new lines to underserved areas such as Soweto, Fourways, Mamelodi, Atteridgeville, Lanseria, and Springs — connecting them to the existing line that serves key economic nodes like Rosebank, Sandton, Midrand, and Pretoria.

Premier Panyaza Lesufi has championed this expansion as part of a larger vision to enhance regional connectivity and reduce over-reliance on road transport. Critics of the current Gautrain system have pointed out that its limited coverage forces many commuters to rely on taxis or buses to reach train stations, making the service less practical and more expensive overall.

The expansion project is also expected to be a major job creator, with the GPG projecting that 10.1 million jobs will be generated over the next five years through its construction and development phases.

Looking Ahead

The combination of fare reductions and network expansion reflects a shift in Gauteng’s public transport strategy — one focused on accessibility, sustainability, and economic inclusion. While commuters will need to wait until 2026 to see the full benefits of these reforms, the groundwork is already being laid to make Gautrain a more integral part of daily life for a broader segment of the population.

With reduced fares, improved coverage, and a commitment to social equity, the Gautrain is on track to become more than just a premium service — it’s poised to become a vital link in Gauteng’s public transport future.