By Celani Sikhakhane
- Santaco’s uMgungundlovu secretary says fuel costs from the US-Iran war forced the increase, with fees rising by between R30 and R100 depending on distance.
- Taxi associations across South Africa have raised fares since February 2026, and some families are cutting back on groceries to cover the extra cost.
Getting a child to school in uMgungundlovu just got more expensive. Santaco has raised scholar transport fees in the district from 1 June 2026, with some families paying up to R100 more a month depending on where they live and how far their child travels.
Siyabonga Mthalane, secretary of Santaco’s uMgungundlovu District, said the increase was unavoidable. Fuel costs have risen sharply since the conflict between the United States and Iran began in February 2026.
“The economic crisis is forcing us as Santaco and taxi operators to increase the transport fees for the kids to go to schools,” Mthalane said.
He said not every area saw the same jump. Some routes went up R30. Others went up R100. The difference comes down to distance and which school the child attends.
The scholar transport increase is part of a wider shift. Taxi associations across the country have raised their fares in response to the fuel spike. The price of 93 unleaded petrol has climbed R6.53 a litre since February, even after the government cut R3 from the fuel levy.
Those increases are landing on 15 million people who use taxis every day. Some families in uMgungundlovu have started cutting back on groceries to cover the higher transport costs.
Pictured above: Santaco has increased scholar transport fees in the uMgungundlovu district from 1 June 2026.
Image source: Supplied
