How to Use Putco Buses in South Africa

Putco buses provide daily transport between townships, suburbs and city centres across Gauteng, Mpumalanga and parts of Limpopo. Whether you are travelling to work, school, town or a nearby suburb, the key steps are to plan your route, identify the correct fare zone, load the right trip and tap your SmartTap card when boarding.

Where Putco Buses Operate

Putco operates commuter services in several parts of Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Its main operating areas include:

Soweto to Johannesburg’s northern suburbs.
Soshanguve to suburbs in Pretoria.
Bronkhorstspruit to Pretoria.
Bronkhorstspruit to Kaalfontein in Ekurhuleni.
Western Mpumalanga, including KwaNdebele, to the Tshwane central business district and surrounding suburbs.
Eldorado Park to Johannesburg and the northern suburbs.

Its buses operate from 02h30 to 22h00. Operating times can differ according to the route, day of the week and service conditions, so check the timetable before leaving home.

If you are unsure whether Putco serves your area, use the official route and zone information before making your way to a bus stop.

How to Plan Your Journey

1. Confirm Your Departure Point

Find the nearest official Putco bus stop or pickup point. Avoid waiting in unsafe locations or trying to stop a bus where it is not permitted to pick up passengers.

Arrive early, especially during the morning and afternoon peak periods. Give yourself enough time to walk to the stop, join the queue and deal with possible delays.

2. Identify Your Destination

Putco uses fare zones and destination codes. Your fare depends on the area where you board and the zone where you get off.

The SmartTap section of the Putco website provides zone guides, route information, timetables and fare documents. Select the relevant region, then check the departure area and destination before buying a ticket or loading a trip.

3. Check the Timetable

Download the timetable for your route and check:

The first bus of the day.
The last bus of the day.
Morning and afternoon departure times.
Possible transfer points.
Whether the timetable applies on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.

Try to arrive at the stop before the scheduled time. Traffic, weather and operational delays can affect the arrival of a bus.

4. Allow Time for Transfers

Some journeys require you to change buses. Ask the driver or Putco staff member where you should transfer and whether your ticket or SmartTap trip is valid for the connecting bus.

Passengers should use official transfer points and follow the instructions given by Putco staff.

How Putco Fares and SmartTap Work

SmartTap Cards

Putco uses SmartTap digital ticketing in several operating areas. The system allows passengers to load trips onto a card instead of relying only on paper tickets or cash.

Available trip options include:

One trip.
Two trips.
Four trips.
Ten trips.
Twelve trips.
Forty four trips.
Fifty two trips.

The shorter options are suitable for occasional travel, while the larger packages may suit regular commuters travelling throughout the week or month.

Getting a SmartTap Card

The process for receiving a card can differ by region. Putco has previously issued cards through its passenger registration process, with drivers and staff collecting details such as the passenger’s name, contact number, current ticket number, departure point and destination.

In the Soshanguve and Ekangala registration notice, Putco stated that the first SmartTap card was free and that a replacement for a lost card cost R20. Check with your local depot or outlet for the current process in your area.

Loading a Trip

You can load trips through an approved Putco outlet. Putco has also announced a new app for loading trips onto SmartTap cards, with the app scheduled to become available from 1 September 2026. Passengers without a smartphone can continue loading trips at a local outlet.

Before loading a trip, confirm the following:

Your departure zone.
Your destination zone.
The correct destination code.
The number of trips you need.
The validity period of the ticket or trip package.

Loading the wrong zone or code can result in your card being declined. Putco has previously warned Soshanguve passengers that incorrect destination codes caused card declines on certain routes.

Checking the Fare

Fares vary according to the route and zone. Putco announced a 10 per cent fare increase for trips bought from 1 June 2026, while the validity periods remained unchanged. Always check the latest fare notice or SmartTap fare document before loading your card.

How to Board and Travel

1. Wait in the Queue

Stand at the official stop and join the queue. Keep your SmartTap card ready before the bus arrives so that boarding is orderly.

Let passengers get off before you board. Do not push or stand in the doorway.

2. Check the Bus Destination

Read the route information on the front or side of the bus. If you are uncertain, ask the driver whether the bus is travelling to your destination before boarding.

This is especially important when several Putco routes serve the same area.

3. Tap Your SmartTap Card

When boarding, present your SmartTap card to the card reader as instructed. Keep the card steady until the machine confirms that the trip has been accepted.

Do not load a trip for one destination and attempt to use it for another. The card must contain the correct route or zone information.

4. Keep Your Card Safe

Treat your SmartTap card like cash. Do not bend it, punch holes in it or leave it exposed to heat and moisture.

If your card is lost or damaged, report it to an approved Putco outlet or your local depot as soon as possible. Ask whether the card can be blocked and replaced.

5. Watch for Your Stop

If you are unfamiliar with the route, tell the driver or a fellow passenger where you need to get off. Press the bell before your stop where a bell is available, and remain seated or hold onto a support while the bus is moving.

Do not try to exit while the bus is still moving. Wait until it has stopped fully.

Travel Tips and Passenger Assistance

Carry a Backup Plan

Keep your route information, depot number or timetable available on your phone. If you depend on a specific bus for work or school, identify an alternative route in case of delays or service changes.

Putco’s published contact details include the call centre number, 012 003 1791, and the email address callcentre@putco.co.za. Regional numbers are also listed on the company’s website.

Follow Basic Safety Rules

Keep your handbag, phone and wallet close to you.
Avoid displaying valuables while waiting.
Stand away from the edge of the road.
Do not distract the driver.
Report suspicious behaviour to Putco staff or the relevant authorities.
Use designated seats and give priority seating to elderly passengers, pregnant passengers and passengers with disabilities.
Keep the bus clean and place rubbish in the correct bin.

If Your Card Is Declined

If the SmartTap machine rejects your card:

Do not repeatedly tap without checking the message on the machine.
Ask the driver or Putco staff member to help identify the problem.
Confirm that you loaded the correct zone and destination.
Check whether the card has sufficient trips.
Visit an approved outlet or contact the Putco call centre if the problem continues.

A Simple Example

Suppose you live in Soshanguve and travel to Pretoria each weekday. First, check the Putco zone guide and timetable for your departure area and destination. Next, load the correct weekly or monthly trip package onto your SmartTap card. On each journey, arrive early, confirm the bus destination, tap your card when boarding and listen for your stop.

Final Checklist

Before leaving home, make sure you have:

Checked the route and timetable.
Confirmed your departure and destination zones.
Loaded the correct SmartTap trip.
Charged your mobile phone.
Arrived at the stop early.
Kept your card and belongings secure.
Saved the Putco call centre details in case you need assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Do I Plan a Journey on a Putco Bus?

Check your departure point, destination, route, timetable and fare zone before travelling. The SmartTap section of the Putco website includes route information, zone guides, timetables and fare details.

2. How Do I Pay for a Putco Bus Trip?

You can pay using cash where it is accepted, or use a SmartTap card loaded with the correct trip. Check your departure and destination zones before loading your card.

3. Where Can I Get a SmartTap Card?

SmartTap cards are issued through approved Putco outlets and regional registration processes. Ask your local depot or Putco outlet about card availability, registration and replacement rules.

4. What Should I Do if My SmartTap Card Is Declined?

Check that you loaded the correct destination code and fare zone and that your card has available trips. If the problem continues, ask the driver or visit an approved Putco outlet for assistance.

5. How Early Should I Arrive at the Bus Stop?

Arrive before the scheduled departure time, particularly during peak periods. Keep your SmartTap card ready, confirm the bus destination and allow extra time for queues, traffic and possible delays.

Conclusion

With the correct route information and a valid SmartTap trip, using a Putco bus is straightforward. Plan ahead, board safely and check the latest fare and timetable information before every journey.