This means a commuter catching a bus on the Cape Flats would have to pay up to R19 to get to the the city centre, or nearly R18 from Somerset West or Blouberg.

Golden Arrow initially wanted a 10,4 percent increase, which the provincial transport department refused to approve.

‘They’re bullying us with these prices, it’s not fair’
Golden Arrow spokesman Vuyisile Mdoda said: “Considering fairness to taxpayers and commuters, we decided to settle on 9 percent.”

But commuters, many cash-strapped after the holidays, said the hike was way too high.

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Zille and the DA also share their aims…

Cape Town pushes for increased use of public transport

The Democratic Alliance hopes to increase the number of commuters using public transport into Cape Town to 40 percent over the next four years, Transport MEC Robin Carlisle said on Thursday.

The target is part of a strategic plan unveiled by the DA to make transport in the province cheaper and safer, and more accessible to poor and far-flung communities.

Carlisle said increased use of private cars had caused untenable congestion on roads and cost the provincial economy millions of rands in potential income.

“We will influence parties to achieve a 13 percent modal shift from private to public transport by 2014 [meaning a 60:40 private: public split into the city of Cape Town CBD],” Carlisle told a media briefing.

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