Latest news with #PassengerRailAgencyofSouthAfrica
The South African
7 days ago
- Business
- The South African
PRASA hikes Metrorail ticket prices: Here's how much MORE you'll pay
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has announced that it will adjust Metrorail ticket prices for the first time in 10 years, with the changes set to take effect on 1 August 2025. PRASA said the decision to raise fares was taken after comprehensive stakeholder consultations held back in 2023 and has received the green light from the Department of Transport. 'Fares have remained unchanged since 2015. This is the first adjustment in a decade,' PRASA noted. Under the new pricing structure: Single tickets will increase by R2.50 will increase by Return tickets will rise by between R5.50 to R6.00, depending on the distance and zone The revenue generated from the fare hike will go toward essential operational costs, including energy bills, rail maintenance, and improved safety and security at stations and on board trains. 'Even with this fare adjustment, PRASA Rail fares remain the most affordable across all modes of public transport,' said PRASA Rail CEO Nwabisa Gqamane-Ntiyane. 'We are committed to providing affordable, safe, and efficient commuter services.' Return of weekly and monthly tickets PRASA Rail also announced the reintroduction of weekly and monthly tickets, offering significant savings for regular commuters. Off-peak discounts still apply Passengers travelling between 09:00 and 14:00 will continue to benefit from 40% to 50% discounts during off-peak hours. PRASA has long faced criticism for service disruptions, infrastructure decay, and security concerns. This fare increase is part of its long-term strategy to restore financial sustainability and improve service quality on South Africa's most critical commuter rail network. Despite the fare hike, PRASA insists that rail remains the most economical transport option for millions of working-class South Africans who rely on it daily. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
7 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
First train fare increase in a decade: Here is how much it will cost you to travel across South Africa
School children wearing full uniform when travelling on the train will receive a 50% discount on all single and return trips. For the first time in ten years, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has announced it will implement fare adjustments across the Metrorail network from 1 August. Children travelling wearing a school uniform will still receive a discount. Prasa said on Wednesday that single tickets will increase by R2.50, while return tickets will see increases of R5.50 to R6.00, depending on the zone or distance travelled. 'The Department of Transport has approved the fare adjustment following comprehensive stakeholder consultations conducted in 2023.' ALSO READ: Restoring SA's rails: Can Prasa deliver by 2027? Money to fund train maintenance costs Prasa Rail CEO Nwabisa Gqamane-Ntiyane said the revenue made from the increase will fund operational needs, which include energy and maintenance costs. Safety and security measures at the stations and trains will also receive attention from the additional revenue. 'The fare adjustment will contribute to the long-term sustainability of the country's biggest passenger rail operator.' Areas to get the train She added that even with the increase, Prasa Rail fares remain the most affordable across all modes of transport. Metrorail in Gauteng primarily serves Johannesburg, Pretoria, and the surrounding areas, including Germiston, Soweto, and the Vaal Triangle. ALSO READ: R75bn shortfall forces focus on bloated SOEs and failed bailouts It connects these areas through a network of routes extending from three main hubs: Park Station in Johannesburg, Germiston Station, and Pretoria Station. Key stations are Park Station in Johannesburg, Germiston Station in Germiston and Pretoria Station in Pretoria. Discounts School children wearing full uniform when travelling on the train will receive a 50% discount on all single and return trips. Additionally, Prasa Rail has announced the reintroduction of weekly and monthly tickets. 'These tickets offer deeper discounts and are expected to be popular among regular commuters. 'Prasa Rail's off-peak discounts remain in place, offering even more affordable fares for those travelling between 9amand 2pm, with fares discounted by 50% – 40% during this period.' NOW READ: Gautrain is offering 50% discount to these eligible passengers
Eyewitness News
7 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
PRASA to implement travel fare increase for first time in 10 years
JOHANNESBURG - The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) will be implementing travel fare increases for the first time in 10 years. The rail agency will make the changes from the beginning of August. The agency said single trips will increase by R2.50 and return tickets will go up by R5.50 to R6. PRASA said it's making these changes to be able to fund critical operational needs, such as energy and maintenance costs. It said it also needs to strengthen security measures at stations and on trains by adding staff with the use of technology. This comes as the rail agency has faced much public criticism from political parties about a slew of corruption allegations. Most recently, ActionSA revealed that R2.5 billion was spent on a project to refurbish the old yellow trains, which was not done.
eNCA
12-07-2025
- Business
- eNCA
R7.5bn spent as trains remain unused
JOHANNESBURG - It's one of the biggest financial missteps in South Africa's recent transport history. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa spent R2.5 billion on refurbishing trains, but many of them remain unused, sitting idle or discarded. READ: PRASA calls for property developers to take up spaces near stations Now, as PRASA considers cancelling the contracts tied to this R7.5 billion project top legal experts are warning: it may not be that simple. Terminating these deals could open the door to massive legal and financial consequences. Mesela Nhlapo, CEO of the African Rail Industry Association, helps us unpack the implications for the rail sector, public funds, and the future of commuter rail in South Africa.
The South African
15-06-2025
- Business
- The South African
The yearly salaries of South Africa's State-owned enterprise CEOs
Several Parliamentary Q&A sessions have revealed just how much public officials and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of some of South Africa's top State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are earning annually. According to BusinessTech , the yearly salary of some are up to R15.5 million a year, which equates to a eyebrow-raising R42 400 every day. This yearly salary, earned by the CEO of the Development Bank of South Africa, also tops the list of highest salaries for public officials in SA. Next on the list of highly-paid Chief Executive Officers is Transnet's CEO, who earns R8.5 million a year. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) pays its CEO R7.8 million per year, with the CEO of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) coming in next, earning R7.1 million annually. Take a look at the top 10 SOEs as well as how much their CEOs are paid below: State-owned enterprise CEO pay per year CEO pay per month CEO pay per day Development Bank of South Africa R15.5 million R1.29 million R42 465 Transnet R8.5 million R708 333 R23 287 Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) R7.8 million R650 000 R21 370 Road Accident Fund (RAF) R7.1 million R591 666 R19 452 Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) R6.92 million R576 667 R18 959 Central Energy Fund R6.15 million R512 500 R16 849 Air Traffic Navigation Services R6.14 million R511 667 R16 822 South African Airways (SAA) R6.0 million R500 000 R16 438 PetroSA R5.8 million R483 333 R15 890 Rand Water R5.4 million R450 000 R14 795 Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
