Fuel price surges reach taxi fares

Taxi commuters across South Africa are paying higher fares from Monday, 18 May, after operators implemented increases in response to back-to-back fuel price hikes linked to the war in Iran.

The first fuel price increase took effect on 1 April 2026, following escalating tensions in the Middle East that pushed global oil prices higher. Petrol 93 and 95 increased by about R1.88 a litre, diesel 0.05% rose by around R2.84 a litre, while diesel 0.005% climbed by about R2.90 a litre.

Read: April fuel prices set to rocket

A second, steeper increase followed on 6 May, after supply disruptions and the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz drove Brent crude above $100 a barrel. Petrol 93 and 95 increased by R3.27 a litre, diesel 0.05% and diesel 0.005% both rose by R6.19 a litre, while illuminating paraffin climbed by R4.22 a litre.

Read: Diesel surges to over R31/l in historic price reset

South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) national spokesperson Rebecca Phala says operators are adjusting fares within approved ranges to remain financially sustainable.

“We haven’t fully recovered since Covid-19, and the taxi industry is having it hard. Why is it taking so long for the government to subsidise an industry that transports 15 million passengers daily?” she asks.

Phala mentioned that taxis operating in the long-distance arena should increase by R10 to R30, and short-distance trips by R2 to R6.

She says additional fare increases are possible by the end of May if fuel prices continue rising.

National Treasury and the Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources attempted to ease pressure by temporarily reducing the general fuel levy by R3 a litre between 1 April and 5 May, lowering the petrol levy from R4.10 to R1.10 a litre.

Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana says they attempted to engage the provincial government to make a deal.

“We normally increase our prices in December, but this year we decided to increase them now because of the fuel price increase. We took this decision with heavy hearts, but we have no choice,” says Tumana.

*Phenyo Selinda is a Moneyweb intern