Full bus and train timetables for Level 4 – who can you travel with?

Public transport, including bus and train services, faces a gradual re-implementation as South Africa continues to navigate a path through lockdown. Level 4 restrictions came into effect on Friday, and although we are still adhering to some strict regulations, it would seem that commuter operations are largely back in business.

Bus and train operations resume under Level 4 laws

On Monday, a number of old favourites will return to the tracks and the tarmac. Others, however, will have to wait a little longer before they can welcome passengers on board once more. As Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula revealed on Friday, all public transport operations will have to follow these blanket guidelines:

• All road-based public transport services are permitted to operate from 5:00 – 19:00, but under strict limitations.
• No public transport is allowed on the road between 20:00 and 5:00.
• No person is allowed to use public transport if not wearing a face mask.
• Commuter rail will resume operations gradually on an incremental basis.
• Buses will be allowed to transport 70% of their licensed loading capacity.

Public transport in Level 4: What bus and train services are operating?

(All forms of public transport require commuters to wear masks and observe proper hygiene protocols.)

Train services

Gautrain

Eight of Gautrain’s nine stations will open on Monday. The stop at OR Tambo has been removed from the list, however. The Gautrain will operate from 5:00 – 9:30 and 15:00 to 19:00 in order to provide a service for commuters. There will be no lunchtime services. Trains will operate at 20-minute intervals and on weekends and public holidays, trains will operate at 30-minute intervals. Carriages are allowed to be “half-full” in Level 4 of lockdown.

Metrorail

No Metrorail services will be allowed to operate for the time being. Travel authorities are still trying to ensure that the risk of transmission is manageable on a corridor by corridor basis. Long-distance trains are still prohibited in Level 4.

Prasa

These services have also been put on hold, and are only expected to return when government decides to downgrade South Africa to Level 3 restrictions. The Pienaarspoort line in Tshwane and the southern line in Cape Town will be the first to reopen.

Bus Services

MyCiti

Buses will now operate daily from 05:00 – 10:00 and again from 16:00 – 20:00 to transport workers providing essential services and members of the public who need to buy food or access healthcare. Vehicles will stop at closed stations on demand to allow passengers to board or disembark. Commuters must still tap in and out on the bus.

Golden Arrow

Services to compensate for morning and afternoon rush hours will take place: Golden Arrow buses are licensed to carry 74 seated passengers, and will be given a 70% allowance – meaning 51 people can travel on board if proper social distancing and sanitisation takes place. All standing is banned during Level 4 of lockdown

Rea Vaya

From Monday, Rea Vaya will pick passengers up between 5:00 – 9:00 and 16:00 – 19:00. During these hours, a full schedule will be available.

We will be operating a full schedule on Monday 4 May 2020 and this will help reduce higher number of passengers at stations.^BM

— Rea Vaya Bus Transit (@ReaVayaBus) April 30, 2020

Long distance services

Fikile Mbalula confirmed that long-distance commutes will be allowed on buses and taxis only, up until 7 May, to help citizens who need to cross provincial borders.

“Minister Dlamini-Zuma has allowed inter-provincial travel for people who were kept from their homes or workplaces during Level 5. Those people are now permitted to travel between May 1 and May 7 in line with the Cogta regulations. Long-distance bus and taxi operators are allowed to undertake travel during this window period.”

Minibus and taxi regulations

Minibus taxis must continue to operate as they were at Level 5, enforcing the 70% capacity rule. Meanwhile, our e-hailing and cab services can only carry out trips if their car is at 50% capacity. For example, a A five-seater vehicle would only be permitted to carry a maximum of two passengers and a driver.