Commuters using services operated by Putco will soon pay more for their daily travel after the bus operator confirmed a fuel-related fare increase set to take effect from 1 June 2026.
In a media statement released on Wednesday May 20, Putco announced that fares will increase by an average of 10% following a sharp rise in diesel prices across South Africa.
The company said the adjustment comes after sustained fuel hikes pushed diesel costs to nearly R32 per litre, placing significant pressure on its operations.
According to Putco, the continued increases in fuel prices have largely been driven by ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting global energy markets, with the impact now filtering down to local transport operators.
Despite the mounting pressure, the company said it delayed implementing fare increases in an effort to protect commuters from additional financial strain.
Putco noted that affordable public transport remains a critical necessity for thousands of working-class and low-income households who rely on its services daily.
The company revealed that internal projections suggested a fare increase of at least 35% would ordinarily have been necessary to fully recover the impact of rising diesel prices.
However, Putco opted for a significantly lower increase in an attempt to cushion passengers from the full burden of escalating fuel costs.
Ahead of the fuel hikes introduced in April, Putco approached the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport seeking fuel relief measures. The engagements were also supported by the Southern African Bus Operators Association, which appealed to government departments for urgent intervention to assist both commuters and transport operators.
However, the company said no long-term sustainable solution has been implemented so far.
Putco currently operates a fleet of approximately 1,300 buses and consumes nearly three million litres of diesel every month. The operator said it has absorbed millions of rands in additional fuel costs during April and May alone in order to avoid immediate fare hikes.
The company maintains that the latest adjustment is necessary to ensure the continued provision of reliable public transport services across its operating regions.
Putco added that it remains committed to ongoing engagements with government and other stakeholders in pursuit of long-term solutions aimed at protecting commuters while ensuring the sustainability of subsidised public transport services.
