To achieve universal access, the City of Joburg's Rea Vaya bus service is offering free rides for pensioners and people living with disabilities. Part of the "Joburg Cares" campaign, the free rides will be available to the City's pensioners and people living with disabilities during off-peak times between 08:30 and 15:00 weekdays as well as on weekends and public holidays. The campaign was approved by the City Council recently and is being implemented with strict adherence to Covid-19 public transport compliance measures. Prior to its approval by Council, a pilot project involving 600 pensioners and persons living with disabilities was successfully conducted by the Departments of Transport and Social Development. To facilitate the campaign, the City's transport department has appointed interns to assist with registrations and loading of free trips to enable pensioners and persons with disabilities to travel freely on Rea Vaya buses. Rea Vaya management encourages prospective customers to use customer care centres located along bus routes to register for the service and load their smartcards for free rides. Smartcards are sold for R34.00 at all Rea Vaya stations.
How to register for free transport
Qualifying residents must register for free transport at their nearest Rea Vaya customer care centre. Pensioners who are 60 years and older, as well as people living with disabilities, are eligible to register for free transport.
Identification such as a South African ID copy, SASSA Card for pensioners, proof of disability or letter of authority from doctors is required for registration.
Remember, a Smart Card is required for the loading of 20 trips to travel for free every month. Smart Cards are sold at R34.00 at all Rea Vaya Stations and loaded at customer care centres.
Rea Vaya Customer Care Centres located along the routes
Name of customer care centre Area Operating time of centres
Carlton Joburg CBD 08h00-16h00
UJ Sophiatown Auckland Park 08h00-16h00
Diepkloof Soweto 08h00-16h00
Facts about Rea Vaya free Transport
Free Transport exclusively to pensioners and persons with disabilities
20 trips loaded at a customer care centre to travel for free every month
Travel during off peak times between 08h30 and 15h00 every day
Can load extra points to travel during peak times
Buy a smartcard for R34.00 from all Rea Vaya stations

Executive Mayor, Councillor Geoffrey Makhubo. Said "We are proud as the City to provide free transport to senior citizens and persons with disabilities to travel for free with Rea Vaya buses. This is a significant contribution and support for those in need to use public transport for free to access City regions and facilities." The Department of Roads and Transport and Social departments with support from other City departments will roll-out promotional campaigns and direct face to face site visits to City Old Age Homes to encourage pensioners and persons with disabilities to register for free transport #WeServeJoburg