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Finding a public transport system that suits your needs could be quite difficult. We look at the four most popular transport systems in SA.
With a variety of public transport options, finding the one that best suits you might be tricky.
Safety comes first and if you are a woman on your own, or someone who carries expensive equipment to and from work, finding the safest and most reliable way to work is important.
We have broken down all the options to make the decision easier for you.
We not only look at safety, but cost, routes and reliability to make the decision easier.
Do you battle with the traffic in Cape Town? Read more about the proposed solutions below.
Metrorail
Metrorail transports up to 2 millions people to work daily in the following provinces:- Gauteng
- Western Cape
- KwaZulu Natal
- Eastern Cape
Safety
Metrorail has a safety campaign that it promotes safe travelling among its all passengers. Prasa, otherwise known as the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, has been under scrutiny for a number of years due the many criminal incidents that have taken place on various platforms around SA. Prasa has however, provided security on all train platforms but it is still not advisable to walk around the station alone.Cost
The costing depends on whether you choose to travel Metro(third class) or Metro+ (first class). A daily ticket can cost anything from R7.50 to R22.50. To find out how much your route will cost- check out GoMetro.Routes
Metrorail transports passengers through the following provinces in South Africa:- Eastern Cape
- Western Cape
- KwaZulu Natal
- Gauteng
Reliability
With a number of train strikes taking place around the country, there is a huge reliability factor at play. Hundreds of thousands of commuters are left stranded on a regular basis due to unforeseen strikes and delays. Is it reliable? Well it has its days but be sure to have another transport alternative just in case a random strike or delay comes out of the woodwork.Driving your own car on a daily basis? Make sure it is fully covered and compare quotes today!
MyCiti
MyCiti is a booming Bus Rapid Transport system that was formed in 2010 transporting passengers from north to south along the coastline of Cape Town. The aim of MyCiti was to create a comfortable transport system that reduced the amount of traffic on the roads as well as an efficient means of transport for citizens to take to and from work.Safety
According to MyCiti, special attention is paid to safety and security, especially at the stations. Throughout the routes, there are a number of monitored CCTV cameras as well as security personnel at each terminal. It is not the safety of MyCiti that you have to worry about. Rather the taxi drivers who take to setting buses alight and burning down stations. This is something one has to be aware of when travelling with MyCiti. It is one of the safest forms of transport in Cape Town, however.Cost
As of July 2017, MyCiti fares have increased, making this one of the more expensive means of transport. In order to be able to travel on MyCiti, passengers have to purchase a MyConnect card where they can load money onto.- New card holders pay R35 for a card, however;
- Existing members whose cards have expired pay R22 to replace their old card.
- The Single Trip Packages - This allows users to take one journey anywhere within a two year period. This card costs R30 and R100 including airport trips.
- Mover Package- This package will save you at least 30% of your fares. This packages allows the money that you load onto your card to reflect as points. The only downside is that it can you can only purchase these points at station kiosks. Prices range from R35 to R1000.
- Monthly Pass- You can purchase a monthly card that provides you with unlimited trips. This will cost you R780.
- Standard Fare Package- The cool thing about this package is that you can use the money on your card to as a debit card for food or other essentials if you don’t have cash on you.
Routes
MyCiti has routes all around the Cape Town area spanning as far as Atlantis. To find your desired route click here.Reliability
MyCiti is seen as one of the most reliable transport solutions. Each station is equipped with informative boards and station officials who are able to assist you as well as inform you of your bus’s arrival time.Spending too much on car insurance? Start saving money by getting the best quote today!
Golden Arrow Bus Services
This service has been transporting passengers for over 150 years. Golden Arrow Buses transport over 220 000 passengers a week. There is currently a fleet of 1 046 buses that run 1 300 routes around the Cape Metropole.Safety
Golden Arrow takes safety very seriously. According to their Facebook page, all their drivers are permitted to attend a special driving course to ensure that they are aware of the hazards that are sometimes placed on the road. Not only this but a “drivecam” is installed in each bus to ensure that driving behaviour is monitored. This is certainly a safer option than trains, however, buses also face constant strife with other transport corporations.Cost
The cost depends on which route you take however for example :- Cape Town to Bellville - R13.50 off peak / R24 peak / R111 monthly
- Cape Town to Mitchells Plain- R13.90 off peak/ R28.30 peak/ R128.50 monthly
Routes
If you wish to search your routes, you can visit the Golden Arrow website to assist you.Reliability
These buses are pretty reliable as they transport so many commuters on a daily basis. This is cheaper than MyCiti and safer than Metrorail.Minibus Taxis
The taxi transport system operates all around South Africa and transports over 15 million passengers. Santaco (South African Taxi Association) is at the helm of monitoring the running of the taxis gracing our roads on a daily basis.Safety
Many motorists constantly complain about taxi drivers’ negligent driving habits. This might not be the safest option, however it will definitely be the cheapest.Cost
Taxi fares vary from R6 to R35 a trip, however you can download the GoMetro app in order to see your exact fare according to your route.Routes
Minibus taxis travel throughout the country passing through every suburb. Normally you will see someone hanging out of the taxi shouting its destination.Reliability
Taxis are known for their hazardous driving. Their fast skills will make sure to get you to your destination fast - even if it is moderately illegal. Not only that, but their recent striking has caused chaos on South African roads. Now that you know about the public transport options, make sure to take everything into consideration to find the best mode of transport for you.If the public transport route is just not for you, start saving on insurance premiums today!