For many residents of Soshanguve and surrounding areas, 1 June 2026 arrived with a heavy financial burden as the Northern Tshwane Taxi Industry’s latest fare increases officially came into effect.
The new fares have seen commuters paying between R3 and R5 more on several popular routes, including Soshanguve to Pretoria CBD, Rosslyn, Wonderpark, Ga-Rankuwa, Centurion and other destinations. While taxi operators cite rising operating costs, many residents say the increases are placing additional strain on already stretched household budgets.
The fare hikes are expected to have a significant impact on daily commuters, particularly workers, students and job seekers who rely on public transport every day. Some residents say they will now have to cut back on essentials such as groceries and electricity to afford transport costs.
To understand the real impact of the fare increases, we spoke to residents about how the new prices are affecting their daily lives.
One resident, Valentia Ramaphoko, said the situation affects both commuters and taxi operators.
“I feel like as much as we, the commuters, feel the burden of these price hikes, the pressure also falls on the drivers. We have to take into account that the price of diesel has increased tremendously, and drivers are responsible for maintaining their vehicles. At the same time, they still have to submit their check-ins,” said Ramaphoko.
Meanwhile, another resident, Mohau Rampedi, said the increases have had a ripple effect on other modes of transport.
“Before all these hikes, I used to use e-hailing services more often, but now it feels like we are being overcharged. At the same time, the taxis we are expected to use do not always drop us at our exact destinations,” said Rampedi.
While some residents acknowledge the challenges facing taxi operators, others believe the Northern Tshwane Taxi Industry has failed commuters by implementing fare increases that they say are higher than those charged by other taxi associations across the country.
As the cost of living continues to rise, many commuters fear that transport costs will further erode their already limited incomes, leaving them with difficult choices about how to spend their money each month.
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