KEDIBONE DIALE-TLABELA | KlevaMova drives dignity and equity on Gauteng’s roads

Gauteng has a rhythm — a heartbeat that pulses through its bustling cities, vibrant markets and ambitious communities.

This rhythm is powered by the daily journeys of millions of commuters who rise at dawn, navigating long and often exhausting trips. For them, transportation is more than just a means to an end; it’s a call for dignity and fairness. It’s a call to transform a system that connects us all and creates opportunities for everyone.

This is why the launch of KlevaMova, our latest integrated and transformative public transport fare support programme, has sparked hope across the province. Introduced by the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) in collaboration with the Gauteng department of roads and transport, KlevaMova is more than just discounted fares — it’s a bold reimagining of transport justice.

Under this initiative, qualifying low-income households earning less than R350,000 annually, students, pensioners and Sassa grant recipients receive a 50% discount on Gautrain fares. These reduced rates apply to return-trip, weekly and monthly tickets.

This programme is a lifeline for those who need it most, but it also carries a deeper promise: public infrastructure must serve all people, not just the privileged few. For too long, the sleek and efficient Gautrain — admired for its world-class reliability — felt out of reach for many township residents. They contributed to its funding through taxes but rarely had the opportunity to use it.

KlevaMova changes that. By bridging the financial divide it restores dignity and ensures that ordinary South Africans can finally claim their share of a service that was always meant to belong to them. The impact has been immediate and tangible:

• In Soshanguve, a mother now reaches Rosebank 45 minutes faster on the Gautrain — less stress commuting, more time with her children.
• A Mamelodi student no longer skips lectures in Midrand due to transport costs — education now comes first.
• Pensioners, once drained by long trips to clinics, now experience mobility with dignity, not exhaustion.
• In Johannesburg, students can attend tutorials without borrowing taxi fare — a small relief that changes everything.

These aren’t just anecdotes; they’re blueprints for what transport equity looks like in practice. When transport works, life gets lighter. It means opportunity, freedom and less worry.

South Africa’s transport ecosystem, much like its society, remains divided. The legacy of apartheid continues to dictate where many live — isolated from economic opportunities and urban centres.

Public transport, despite its potential as a great equaliser, often reinforces these divides. According to the Gauteng Household Travel Survey (2020), only 4.7% of daily commuters used rail in 2020, down from 12% in 2013. This decline reflects the collapse of Prasa’s infrastructure and the theft of rail assets, leaving behind a system that feels unsafe and unreliable.

Meanwhile, minibus taxis carry more than 65% of daily commuters in Gauteng, with public buses accounting for another 16%. The growing reliance on private vehicles isn’t a choice of convenience but a necessity born from a lack of better alternatives. This trend is dangerous. When public transport becomes synonymous with risk and inconvenience, we lose a vital tool for building a cohesive and connected society.

KlevaMova addresses this challenge with a clear and ambitious vision: not just cheaper fares, but a blueprint for an inclusive, integrated and intelligent transport system.

This vision requires partnerships across the board. Prasa, the taxi industry, municipal planners and bus operators must align their efforts. Sustainability must also be at the forefront. Rail systems, for example, remain the gold standard for efficiency and environmental impact.

According to the International Energy Agency, trains emit four times less CO₂ per passenger than cars — and account for just 2% of global energy use in the transport sector while carrying 8% of the world’s passengers. Rail systems also reduce urban congestion, lower accident rates and improve air quality. Sustainability and economic sense go hand in hand.

Global evidence underscores the transformative power of efficient public transport. The World Bank reports that it can boost job accessibility by 30% and raise household incomes near transport hubs.

For Gauteng, where citizens undertake over 9-million trips daily, these shifts could yield enormous economic and social gains. When traffic is reduced, people gain time for their families, studies and businesses. The KlevaMova programme is a critical cog in this wheel of transformation.

When the world gathers on South African soil, we won’t tell the story of a province catching up. We’ll show how we’re leading the way in building a green, modern and inclusive transport economy — one that connects cities, lowers emissions and drives dignity and progress.

Mobility is more than just getting from one place to another; it’s a catalyst for progress. It bridges the gap between stagnation and success, transforming the feeling of being left behind into the opportunity to actively contribute to Gauteng’s growth.

The KlevaMova programme is at the forefront of this transformation, turning obstacles into opportunities and shaping a future where mobility drives inclusion and equity.

Together we can build a province where every destination is within reach — and every road leads to potential and possibility.

• Kedibone Diale-Tlabela is the Gauteng MEC for roads and transport

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