Bus Hire Prices for Johannesburg 2025 – What You Need to Know
One of the most common questions we receive is: “What are the bus hire prices in Johannesburg?”
While we can certainly provide you with a ballpark estimate, it’s important to understand that several factors influence the final price of hiring a bus. Every trip is unique, with different requirements and logistics to consider, which is why we offer tailored quotes for each booking.
Below, we explain the most important factors that can impact your bus hire price so you can better plan your transport and understand how quotes are calculated.
Need a tailored quote for your trip? Contact us today — we’ll make your bus hire experience simple, reliable, and affordable.
Key Factors That Influence Bus Hire Prices
1. Distance from the Depot to the Pick-Up Point
A common misunderstanding when requesting a bus hire quote is forgetting to account for the distance the bus travels before the passengers even get on board. Getting the bus to your departure point requires diesel, time, and operational costs, which all influence the price.
Example 1: Funeral in Soweto
A client requests a bus for a funeral in Soweto. The bus collects passengers from a church in Protea Glen and transports them to Avalon Cemetery, both within Soweto. The distance between the two points is only 11km, so on paper, the trip seems short.
However, the bus first travels from the TAG Passenger Services depot in Benoni to Protea Glen — a distance of roughly 69–72km, depending on the route. After the service at Avalon Cemetery, the bus waits for about 2 hours, returns passengers to the church, and then drives back to the depot.
The total distance covered by the bus for this trip is approximately 160km, even though the actual trip for the passengers is only 22km.
The estimated price for a trip like this is around R5,000.00, which includes the full round-trip travel.
Clients often ask, “Why does it cost so much for only 22km?” — but it’s essential to consider the full distance the bus travels, including to and from the depot.
Quick Calculation for Total Distance Charged:
✔ Distance from depot to pick-up point
✔ Distance from pick-up point to destination
✔ Distance from destination back to pick-up point
✔ Distance from pick-up point back to depot
Need a tailored quote for your trip? Contact us today — we’ll make your bus hire experience simple, reliable, and affordable.
2. Duration of Your Trip (Time)
In South Africa, labour laws regulate how long drivers can work. Even if the driver is waiting at a venue for several hours, they are still considered on duty.
The standard working day is 8 hours, Monday to Friday. Any trip that exceeds this time results in additional charges for overtime, which is calculated in accordance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA).
Key Labour Guidelines:
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Overtime pay applies after 8 hours
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Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the normal wage
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Sundays and public holidays are paid at double time, unless it’s part of the normal schedule
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Drivers must receive a 1-hour lunch break after 5 continuous working hours
This ensures your driver remains safe, rested, and legally compliant throughout the trip.
Example 2: School Sports Trip – Kempton Park to Benoni
A school hires a bus for a sports tournament from Kempton Park to Benoni. The TAG Passenger Services depot is nearby, making the round trip under 60km.
Since the trip duration is under 8 hours and the distance is under 100km, we would quote a daily rate, approximately R4,250.00, based on an 8-hour workday.
Need a tailored quote for your trip? Contact us today — we’ll make your bus hire experience simple, reliable, and affordable.
3. Toll Gates Along the Route
South Africa has an extensive network of toll roads designed to maintain key highways. These tolls can significantly affect the final price of your trip, especially for long-distance travel or interprovincial transport.
Buses fall into higher vehicle classes, which means toll fees are higher than those for standard cars.
Common Toll Roads in Gauteng and Beyond:
✔ N1 – Between Johannesburg and Pretoria
✔ N3 – Between Johannesburg and Durban
✔ N4 – Towards Mpumalanga, Mozambique, or Botswana
✔ R21 – From Pretoria to OR Tambo International Airport
✔ N17 – Connecting Johannesburg East to Mpumalanga
We always itemise toll fees on your quote, and where possible, suggest alternative routes to help you save on costs.
To view the latest toll fees please visit: – https://www.foresightpublications.co.za/TollFees2025.pdf
Toll Fees 2025 South Africa
Need a tailored quote for your trip? Contact us today — we’ll make your bus hire experience simple, reliable, and affordable.
4. Overnight and Multi-Day Trips
If your trip requires the bus and driver to be away overnight or for multiple days, additional costs apply, including:
Driver Accommodation & Meals
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Drivers require safe, basic accommodation (Driver accommodation is for the clients account)
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A daily meal allowance is included to cover food expenses
Bus Out-of-Use Fees
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While the bus is dedicated to your trip, it cannot be used for other work
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A daily out-of-use fee is charged to cover this operational downtime
For longer tours, additional drivers may also be required to comply with driving time regulations, which will be included in your quote.
Need a tailored quote for your trip? Contact us today — we’ll make your bus hire experience simple, reliable, and affordable.
5. Other Factors That Can Influence Pricing
Depending on your trip, additional costs may include:
✔ Parking fees for overnight stays at venues or hotels
✔ Additional cleaning fees if required
Passenger Transport is VAT-Exempt
It’s also important to note that passenger transport services are exempt from VAT in South Africa. Reputable bus hire companies will not charge VAT on your bus hire quote.
Summary: Why Bus Hire Pricing Varies
Every bus hire trip is different, which is why we don’t offer one-size-fits-all pricing. At TAG Passenger Services, we carefully consider:
✔ Distance travelled (including depot to pick-up and return)
✔ Time of the trip, including waiting periods
✔ Toll gates and other road fees
✔ Duration – same-day, overnight, or multiple days
✔ Driver wages, overtime, accommodation, and meals
✔ Bus availability and potential out-of-use periods
✔ Additional requirements such as border fees or special permits
Transparent, Hassle-Free Bus Hire with TAG Passenger Services
At TAG Passenger Services, we believe in clear, upfront pricing. We take the time to walk you through your quote so you understand exactly what’s included — no hidden costs, no surprises.
Need a tailored quote for your trip? Contact us today — we’ll make your bus hire experience simple, reliable, and affordable.
