Free bus travel rolled out for jobseekers in Western Cape

The Western Cape Government is offering free public transport to unemployed residents to help them attend job interviews and reach places of work, in a move aimed at removing one of the biggest barriers to employment: the cost of travel.

Through the provincial Department of Mobility’s "Getting YOU to Work" programme, eligible jobseekers can access free travel vouchers for Golden Arrow Bus Services.

The vouchers are designed to support people who are actively looking for work in the Cape Town metro.

Since the programme began in 2024, more than 8,000 jobseekers have collected vouchers and made over 28,000 trips to reach economic opportunities.

A recent survey shows strong results, with 95% of users saying the vouchers were beneficial, and 35% reporting that they secured employment as a direct result.

Young people and women are the main beneficiaries, accounting for 72% and 70% of users respectively.

The current phase of the programme runs until March 31, 2026, and registered beneficiaries have been urged to collect their cards and use their remaining trips before they expire.

“For many unemployed jobseekers, transport is the biggest hurdle, and these travel vouchers provide practical support to overcome it,” said Muneera Allie, Head of Communication for the Western Cape Mobility Department.

 “The Jobseeker Travel Vouchers are a practical tool to help people access opportunity. If you are already registered, please collect your card and use your trips before the end of March this year. If you are looking for work and need transport support, you can register yourself and start accessing free travel for job opportunities.”

While the first phase of the programme required registration through an employer, the current phase allows jobseekers to register themselves directly online, making the system more accessible.

New applicants can visit gettingyoutowork.westerncape.gov.za, select “Jobseeker Registration” and complete the online form.

The department has encouraged all eligible jobseekers to take advantage of the initiative, saying it forms part of the province’s broader effort to reduce unemployment by removing practical barriers to work.

By helping residents reach interviews and workplaces, the Western Cape Government says the programme is contributing to a stronger and more inclusive economy.

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