Some Metrobus commuters in the Johannesburg CBD are voicing frustration over the introduction of a new ticketing system.
The system, which is set to take effect from Tuesday, charges passengers based on the distance they travel, rather than a standard fare.
Previously, commuters paid a flat rate regardless of the length of their journey. Under the new structure, passengers must tap their cards when boarding and again when exiting the bus to calculate the fare based on distance.
Many commuters are unhappy with the change, arguing that it could effectively double their daily travel costs. They also criticised the reliability of the service, saying it’s unfair to pay more for a system that is already inconsistent.
Metrobus acknowledged receiving complaints but described the number of dissatisfied commuters as minimal.
The company stated that the new system is intended to curb unauthorised free rides and improve efficiency. It added that most passengers are already registering for the new payment method.
