A recommendation to postpone tariff increases for the MyCiTi system until later this year was served before a meeting of the City’s Mayoral Committee this afternoon.

The City in the main felt that customers would be hard done by if they were compelled to pay more for a MyCiTi trip early in the New Year.

Motivation for this proposed delay was presented to Mayco today. The report also included some recommended technical amendments to the charges levied by MyCiTi.

“There are a number of independent and unrelated cost factors which impact on the price we charge for a commute on the MyCiTi system. As a caring City, we felt it would be highly unfair to commuters – especially those in lower income groups – if all these increases were passed on to the commuter less than a year after MyCiTi was launched,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Stormwater, Councillor Brett Herron.

“We also need to show commuters the real benefits of the MyCiTi system and of the newly introduced myconnect card payment system, before considering increasing prices.” Originally, prices were scheduled to increase at the beginning of 2012.

There are three broad principles contained in the City’s draft IRT Fare Policy, which is currently being processed through the City’s Public Engagement team. Those principles are: 

• To minimise the operational deficit of the system, while supporting the economic and social development objectives of the City 
• New fares should be comparable to those experienced by users of modes of transport replaced by the MyCiTi system 
• The fare system should provide the City with a tool for Travel Demand Management which attempts to attract current car drivers into public transport

Two increases were scheduled to be implemented in the first quarter of 2012. These were an annual fare increase, as approved by Council in July 2011, along with a fuel price-related increase due to the price of diesel having passed the specific R10 per litre threshold. These have both been delayed until the second half of the year.

A significant change to the fare system is also planned to take effect on 1 July 2012, when the technology should be ready to support distance-based fares and transit products (bulk travel purchases allowing for discounts to passengers.)

The improvement of public transport is one of the eight key strategic focus areas identified by the City in its Integrated Development Plan. Public transport plays a vital role in providing all citizens and visitors with access to opportunities and facilities.

Today’s report recommends that Council condones the non-implementation of the scheduled annual fare increase on January 1, 2012 and also to approve the delayed fuel-price related increase, till later this year.