No more cash on City buses
Passengers using the City of Windhoek's municipal bus service will no longer be able to pay cash fares, following the full implementation of the city's cashless ticketing system. In a public notice issued this week, the municipality announced that cash payments are no longer accepted under any circumstances on council-operated buses. Commuters must now travel with a valid smartcard to access the service.
For many daily passengers who rely on municipal buses to travel to work, school and other essential destinations, the change means planning ahead to ensure their travel cards are topped up before boarding.
The City of Windhoek said the move forms part of its broader efforts to improve operational efficiency, strengthen transparency and modernise public transport services for residents.
Under the new arrangement, passengers who are unable to present valid proof of payment will not be allowed to continue their journey. To assist commuters with the transition, smartcards and top-up services remain available at several municipal service points, including the City of Windhoek Head Office in the CBD, the Ombili and Wanaheda municipal offices, the Nathanael Maxuilili Centre in Okuryangava and the Katutura Customer Care Centre.
The municipality has also introduced a mobile top-up service, allowing passengers to recharge their smartcards using mobile phones through both smartphone and USSD platforms. City officials are encouraging residents to make use of the available facilities and comply with the cashless system, saying public cooperation is essential in maintaining a reliable, safe and accountable public transport service.
