About the Gold Card
Your ticket to the city and beyond...
To load your card is very simple. Present your card card at a Golden Arrow sales point and request the product of your choice. The sales agent will then load the product onto the card and you will receive a receipt as proof of payment.

When boarding a bus you simply tap your card onto the card reader at the entrance of the bus - a green light will indicate that your card has valid products available and you will be able to board and you are on your way.

For more information or to register your card, follow the links below.
Convenient Smart Technology
Hop Onboard and Tap
Easy Top-up or Reload
Getting started with your Gold Card
Choose a Product
Check out our routes and choose the best product to suit your needs - weekly/monthly travel for work, terms packages for students or go as you please packages. Our friendly operators are also available 24 hours a day if you need further information on routes and prices. Call 0800 656463
Buy a Gold Card
The card costs just R35 once-off and can be purchased at a ticket kiosk near you. View sales points.
Ask for your specific product to be loaded on the Gold Card. You can load up to three different products per card.
Tap and Go
After you've loaded your product, put your receipt in a safe place and you're good to go. Once you've spotted your bus just hop on board and tap your card. It really is that easy. Your slip will help you keep track of how many rides you have left so you know when to top up again.
Register your Card
If your card is ever lost, don't stress, we can help you out. As soon as you have your Gold Card, save your card number in a safe place and then go here to register your card. It only takes a few seconds and by registering we'll be able to block your card and transfer your rides onto a new card if necessary.
Reload
When it's time to top up all you need to do is visit your nearest sales point and present your Gold Card. Request the product of your choice and make payment. Remember to check your receipt to make sure the correct product is loaded. Do not throw your Gold Card away.
Register your Gold Card
Title
First Name* Last Name* Purchase Location*
Contact Number* Email Address* Card Number*
Purchase Frequency*
Note: Your information is ONLY stored in order to track smartcard usage and assist you in the event that your smartcard is lost, stolen or damaged. in event of lost your card, we advise you it in order to block the card, Send and e-mail to GABS Feedback if you have any queries.
Lost/Stolen GoldCards
Block a registered card
Gold Card FAQ
Q
Can I still use cash?
A
Yes, you can pay cash fare on all Golden Arrow buses. If possible please try to have the correct change or as close as possible as drivers only carry a small float for safety reasons.
Q
What should I look out for on my ticket?
A
Please check the date, route and price on your ticket.
Q
What do I do if I think I have been charged incorrectly?
A
Please retain your ticket and send an email to fares@gabs.co.za.
Q
I did not receive a cash ticket but I paid for my ride – what should I do?
A
A Your cash ticket is your proof of purchase and the driver must issue you with one when boarding a bus – if the driver does not issue you with a ticket please request one. If you still do not receive a ticket please call 0800 656463 or send an email to fares@gabs.co.za. Please note the time, bus number and fare you paid.
Q
What is the difference between peak and off peak fares?
A
Cash fares differ according to the time at which you travel. Peak period starts at 16:00 and ends at 08:00. Off peak starts at 08:00 and ends at 16:00. The fare collection system switches fares automatically - if you have any concerns in this regard please retain your ticket and call 0800 656463 or send an email to fares@gabs.co.za
Q
Where do I get a GABS Gold card?
A
GABS Gold cards can be obtained from the same points at which clipcards were previously purchased.
Q
Where do I load my card?
A
You can load products onto your card at any GABS approved sales agent or sales point. Please visit our website or call 0800 656463 for your nearest sales point.
Q
What will I be loading on my card?
A
You will be loading travel products which have a fixed number of rides and an expiry date. Please always note the expiry date as extensions and refunds will not be possible.
Q
How do I load my card?
A
It is very simple. All you need to do is present your card at a Golden Arrow sales point and request the product of your choice. The sales agent will then load the product onto the card and you will receive a receipt as proof of payment.
Q
How do I know if I have received the correct product and paid the correct price?
A
You will receive a receipt after each purchase. Each time you use the card you will also receive a slip which shows the status of your packages. If you are unsure of which product to purchase please ask an official or call 0800 65 64 63 as no refunds will be given for incorrectly purchased products.
Q
Can I withdraw money from my card?
A
The Gold Card is not a chipped banking card so you will not be able to use it like an ATM card.
Q
How do I use the card?
A
When boarding a bus you simply tap your card onto the card reader at the entrance of the bus – a green light will indicate that your card has valid products available and you will be able to board.
Q
Can I get extensions on my card if I have unused rides?
A
No extensions, exchanges or refunds will be possible. Please take note of this when purchasing a product.
Q
Does my card have an expiry date?
A
No, your card itself does not have an expiry date but the products that you load on the card do. Please always take note of these dates as your products will not be valid thereafter.
Q
How long are my trips valid for?
A
Weekly packages are valid for 30 days and comprise 10 rides. Monthly packages are valid for 90 days and have 48 rides.
Q
Do I need to register my card?
A
It is not compulsory to register your card but if you are able to we would suggest registering your card via www.gabs.co.za/GoldCard.aspx#GoldTabs. This registration option is free of charge and by signing up you will be first in line to hear about future launches and product updates. Please take of note the unique number on your card. This unique number must be provided when entering into correspondence with the Company.
Q
What do I do if my card gets stolen?
A
  1. Report the theft as quickly as possible by sending an email to: fares@gabs.co.za.
  2. Include the stolen card’s serial number, your proof of purchase of a product on the card or a copy of a ticket using this card in your email
  3. We will block your card immediately to prevent anybody else using it.
  4. Buy a replacement card for R35 and load the same product on the card. We cannot transfer rides onto an empty card.
  5. Alternatively, use an existing card and check that it has the same product on it (that hasn’t expired).
  6. Send us an email with the numbers of the lost and the new or replacement card included.
  7. Register your card on our website: www.gabs.co.za. Click on the picture of the Gold card, it will take you to a registration page.
  8. Your old rides will be visible on the new card within 24 hours.
Q
What do I do if my card gets lost or damaged?
A
The process is the same as for stolen cards.
Q
How many cards am I allowed to have?
A
You are allowed to have multiple cards but there is no need as up to three different products can be stored on a single card.
Q
Can I load cash on the card?
A
No, the card is not linked to any banks or financial institutions; it can only be used to load and store GABS travel products and packages.
Q
What is a transfer?
A
Certain routes require passengers to disembark from one bus and to board another in order to reach their destination. This is known as a transfer.
Q
How do transfers work?
A
Certain products/ routes have built in transfers – this means that you will need to disembark from one bus and board another in order to reach your destination. For your convenience there is a two-hour period in which transfers are allowed.
Q
How many products can I load on my card?
A
You can load up to three different products on your Gold card.
Q
Can I change the products I purchased, if I change jobs and work in a different area?
A
No refunds, exchanges or extensions will be possible. If you are changing jobs or workplaces and need to travel to different locations please purchase a Go Card, which can be used for travel on any Golden Arrow route except for buses operating to and from Atlantis, Dassenberg, Mamre / Pella, Malmesbury, Darling, Koeberg Power Station and Melkbosstrand.
Q
I need to travel to various destinations. Which product should I purchase?
A
A weekly or monthly Go Card can be used for travel on any Golden Arrow route except for buses operating to and from Atlantis, Dassenberg, Mamre / Pella, Malmesbury, Darling, Koeberg Power Station and Melkbosstrand.
Q
Can I pay with my debit card, via EFT or using my cellphone?
A
At this stage payment is limited to cash but we will be exploring other payment options for possible future implementation.
Q
Can I pay for other things with my card?
A
The Gold Card is not a chipped banking card so you will only be able to use it to load GABS travel products and packages.
Q
Can I withdraw money from my card?
A
The Gold Card is not a chipped banking card so you will not be able to use it like an ATM card.
Q
Can I use the GABS Gold card on MyCiTi and Metrorail?
A
No, the Gold Card is only for use on GABS buses at this time.
Q
Do children need a card of their own?
A
Yes, they do if they are making use of a travel package or product.
Q
Are there discounted fares for scholars?
A
All travel packages loaded onto the card are already discounted. There are no additional discounts for scholars.
Q
Are there discounted fares for pensioners?
A
A discounted pensioner’s clipcard is available for passengers over 60 years of age and is valid for 10 rides. This clipcard must be used within 60 days of purchase date and can only be used between 08:00 and 16:00 on weekdays and all day on weekends and public holidays. To qualify, the pensioner must be in possession of a special pensioner’s photo pass. This pass can be obtained from our Tollgate depot, 183 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10:00 and 11:00. Queries should be directed to 021 466 7000. All seniors’ passes are done there for administrative reasons but the photo pass does not have an expiry date. Pensioners will then need to show the bus pass whenever they purchase their discounted clipcards.
Q
Can I share my card with other people?
A
No, each passenger must have their own card. The card reader will not validate a card which has just been used.
Q
Who can I speak to if I need more information?
A
For any Gold Card related queries please email fares@gabs.co.za or call 0800 65 64 63.
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Toll-free number:
0800 65 64 63
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General Enquiries:
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