Teboho Setena
Interstate Bus Lines’ (IBL) new tariff hike of 6% for passengers trips became effective yesterday, Tuesday, 1 July and will be operational until end of June 2026. The bus company announced on Tuesday, 24 June, a new hike which will apply to both multi-journey tickets and cash fares.
This sees an average increase of R1 on each trip. The company stated the adjustment of overall 6% was approved by the Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport. The hike also followed consultations with stakeholders that include the provincial department in question and passengers in the greater Mangaung Metro – Bloemfontein, Botshabelo, and Thaba Nchu.
The bus company, however, received approval for a lower increase than initial proposed 10%, which it hoped will enable it to offset expenses such as fuel, repairs, and maintenance.
According to the company, the costs for maintenance and repair of their bus fleet accounts for the largest part of its budget. Excessive costs includes tyre replacements and repairs to the bus fleet to keep up with safety standards.
The bus company bemoans the deteriorating road infrastructure it is operating on within the Mangaung Metro. This means the IBL will continue to cushion the business’ expenses despite a hike in tariffs for commuters, and a 4.5% subsidy from government for the current financial term from 1 July until the end of June 2026.
On the other side, passengers lament the hike and expressed their frustration on social media platforms saying the hike adds to their financial distress. Botshabelo has the biggest number of passengers, followed by Thaba Nchu, traveling to Bloemfontein for work and study at tertiary institutions. Approximately 30 000 passengers are transported from the two towns, using a fleet of 238 busses.
It also volunteers to repair deteriorating routes in areas it operates in the Mangaung Metro to ensure safety of passengers. This an attempt to provide transport services to destitute passengers in far-flung rural areas in Thaba Nchu and Botshabelo.
