Rea Vaya introduces a points payment system
28 April 2016
Commuting on Rea Vaya bus service has become a lot better, easier, smarter, more economical and convenient.
The City of Johannesburg’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will from 1 May 2016 move to a points-based payment platform to improve customer experience.
In another major City of Johannesburg innovation, commuters will now be able to load points on to their Rea Vaya smartcards at R1 a point instead of paying fares in cash.
Commuters will also qualify for bonus points. The more points are loaded on to their Rea Vaya smartcards in a single transaction, the more bonus points they will earn, which they can use for additional trips.
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport Councillor Christine Walters says the City is delighted to launch the points system as it offers “real benefits for Joburg’s commuters”.
“Our aim is to ensure that public transport in the city is fast, safe, reliable and affordable. The new Rea Vaya points system and vending machines will make travelling on Rea Vaya easy and hassle-free, while offering our customers real savings,” says Cllr Walters.
“From 1 May 2016 to 30 June 2016, passengers can earn 10% in bonus points when they spend between R51 and R100, 15% from R101 to R200, 20% from R201 to R300, and 25% from R301 to R700.”
There will also be significant savings as commuters will not pay loading fees. There will be no longer any need to indicate entry and exit points to get discounted fares.
“Commuters can just hop on a bus, swipe their smartcard on entry and exit. The Rea Vaya system will deduct the correct fare. On entry, a fare of R5.20 (5.2 points) is deducted (the minimum fare), with the balance of the fare deducted on exit, which is dependent on distance travelled,” said MMC Walters.
Rea Vaya will also roll out self-service vending machines at certain stations to increase the convenience of loading points. Commuters will also be able to load points at cashier booths, ABSA ATMs and main Rea Vaya stations using cash, debit or credit cards, except American Express and Diners Club cards.
From 1 July 2016, when new Rea Vaya fares are introduced, commuters could earn up to 12.5% bonus points in a single transaction. Commuters are advised to store their smartcard number and report a lost card to the Rea Vaya Customer Care Centre.
If a card is lost, commuters are not refunded for the points loaded onto their cards. They will have to purchase a new card and load new points.
For additional information, contact Rea Vaya at 0800 562874 or log onto www.reavaya.org.za It is also on Facebook at ReaVayaBustransit, and Twitter at @ReaVayaBus. You can also download the Rea Vaya Moja App.