Gautrain offers 50% discounts to underserved commuters in strategic shift — here’s how to apply

7 May 2025

Passenger numbers have plummeted since the Covid-19 pandemic, so the Gautrain has identified underserved groups and is offering 50% discounts to families with a combined household income of less than R350,000, students, pensioners and South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) grant recipients.

The Gautrain has announced a strategic shift in its product offerings to better accommodate passenger groups that were previously underserved. This adjustment comes in response to evolving travel patterns in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gautrain passenger numbers dropped from 13.9 million in the 2019/20 financial year to 7.9 million in 2023/24.

“This decline underscores the need for adaptive strategies to restore commuter confidence and adjust to evolving travel patterns,” Gautrain spokesperson Albi Modise told Daily Maverick on Wednesday, 7 May 2025.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has profoundly affected public transportation systems worldwide, and the Gautrain has been no exception. Ridership levels have yet to recover to pre-pandemic figures,” said Modise.

“In response to the changing ridership patterns post-Covid-19, the Gautrain is identifying underserved customer groups and their specific needs, and will be adapting its products and services to make travel more accessible for a diverse range of passengers.”

To boost passenger numbers, the Gautrain has launched the “KlevaMova” initiative, which offers 50% discounts on trips to Sassa grant beneficiaries, students under the age of 25, pensioners, individuals from households with a combined income of R350,000 or less, and people living with a disability earning up to R600,000 annually before deductions.

Discounts are valid for a limited number of trips and, importantly, don’t include trips to or from OR Tambo International Airport, the most expensive Gautrain offering.

The Gautrain also announced that all passengers can park at Gautrain stations for R1 a day when riding the train between 1 April and 31 July 2025.

‘More affordable’

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

“KlevaMova forms part of the government’s efforts to make the Gautrain more accessible to a large share of the population in Gauteng, attract a diverse range of passengers across income groups, and ensure that cost is not a barrier to accessing an efficient, safe, and convenient public transport service,” she said.

The Gautrain said its move was in line with global rail trends, with operators fine-tuning their rail services to match shifting commuter trends. The rail service said that a recent brand study indicated that the Gautrain brand was perceived as inaccessible.

In a statement in March 2025, Gautrain Management Agency CEO Tshepo Kgobe said: “The days of a predictable nine to five, Monday through Friday commute are over. Passengers are demanding that we run a frequent service throughout the day and offer dynamic pricing to suit their hybrid work schedules. And with the rising cost of living, cost is increasingly becoming the sole determinant when choosing a mode of transport.”

The Gautrain Management Agency is in the process of appointing a new delivery partner after the Bombela Consortium’s 20-year concession comes to an end in 2026.

The Gautrain still sees itself as an alternative mode of transport and is planning a significant expansion project.

Read more: After the Bell: All aboard for Premier Lesufi’s psychedelic Gautrain trip

“The pandemic has drastically and permanently altered the transit industry. Former frequent commuters continue to work from home in hybrid or remote positions,” Modise said.

“Gauteng, South Africa’s most populous province, faces significant road congestion due to high traffic volumes and a rapidly growing population, impacting economic activity and daily commutes. As cities continue to grow, the demand for reliable and accessible transportation options becomes increasingly important.

“The Gautrain rapid rail link, and the extension of the rail network in Gauteng, is key to addressing road congestion, and offering a faster, more efficient, and sustainable alternative to private vehicles,” the Gautrain statement from March 2025 said.

See the visual below to check if you qualify for a 50% discount and visit your nearest Gautrain station (excluding OR Tambo) to apply. The Gautrain advised passengers with queries to call 0800 428 87246 or visit its website for further information. DM

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‘More affordable’