For many South Africans looking for work, the challenge is not just finding job opportunities – it is finding the money to get there. Whether it is travelling to hand in a CV, attend an interview, or start a new job, transport costs can quickly add up, especially for people who are already unemployed.
To help tackle this problem, the Western Cape Government has expanded its popular “Getting YOU to Work” Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme to George, giving unemployed residents access to free bus travel while they search for work.
The programme was first launched in Cape Town in February 2024 and has already helped more than 24,000 unemployed jobseekers access employment opportunities by removing one of the biggest barriers to job hunting – the cost of transport. Following its success in the Cape Metro, the initiative has now been introduced in George through a partnership with the GO GEORGE public bus service.
The idea behind the programme is simple: if people can travel for free to interviews, training opportunities, and workplaces, they have a better chance of finding employment. The Western Cape Government says transport costs continue to prevent many capable jobseekers from accessing opportunities that could improve their lives.
Eligible job seekers receive six free bus trips that can be used on weekdays between 9 am and 3 pm. These trips are loaded onto a transport card that can be used on participating bus services. In Cape Town, the programme operates through Golden Arrow Bus Services, while jobseekers in George can use the GO GEORGE network.
To qualify, applicants must be unemployed, have a valid South African ID, and register on the official Getting YOU to Work online portal. Once registered, they can collect a transport card from participating kiosks or vendors and begin using their free trips while searching for employment opportunities.
The programme is also open to employers, NGOs, NPOs, and organisations that regularly assist jobseekers. These organisations can register on the portal and issue travel vouchers to people they are helping, making it easier for unemployed South Africans to attend interviews and connect with potential employers.
The expansion comes at a time when unemployment remains one of South Africa’s biggest economic challenges. For many people, especially young job seekers, simply getting to an interview can be a financial burden. By covering transport costs, the programme aims to give jobseekers a fairer chance to compete for available opportunities.
Previous results from the programme suggest it is making a meaningful difference. According to the Western Cape Mobility Department, thousands of jobseekers have already benefited, with surveys showing that many participants found the vouchers useful and a significant number were able to secure employment after using the programme. Young people and women have been among the biggest beneficiaries.
For unemployed South Africans in George and Cape Town, the message is clear: if transport costs are standing between you and your next opportunity, help may now be available. Sometimes the journey to a new job starts with simply being able to afford the ride there.
