[category]
[title]
If you’ve noticed your Uber app showing a few more surges than usual this week, you aren’t imagining it.
As the conflict in the Middle East escalates and the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively shuttered, the ripples could soon hit the streets of Johannesburg hard.
With Brent crude oil surging past $100 per barrel this week, Joburgers are staring down the barrel of a historic fuel price hike on April 1st. Here’s what you need to know before you book that ride to the weekend's festivals.
The April 1st fuel price hike
It’s not just global politics; it’s the calendar. On April 1, South Africa implements its annual inflation-linked increases to the General Fuel Levy and the RAF Levy. Combined with the massive under-recovery caused by the oil spike, economists are predicting a petrol increase of roughly R2.40 to R4.50 per litre.
For those of us watching the pumps, that means a tank of 95-octane could soon hover around R23 to R25 per litre, a systemic shock to the local economy.
Will Uber prices actually go up?
While Uber South Africa hasn't officially pulled the trigger on a new Fuel Surcharge yet, and isn't prepared to comment at this time, history and the current data suggest it’s coming. To keep drivers on the road and prevent the strikes we’ve seen in the past, platforms are expected to:
- Increase Base Rates: Some forecasts suggest a 20% hike to base fares.
- Introduce Surcharges: Similar to the global surcharges seen in 2022, a flat fee per trip could be added to cover the “April shock."
The aviation precedent: FlySafair pulls the trigger
The most telling sign of what’s to come for our commutes arrived yesterday. For the first time in its history, FlySafair announced a temporary dynamic fuel surcharge on all tickets booked from March 12, 2026.
The airline revealed that jet fuel prices at South African coastal airports spiked by a staggering 70% in just one week following the escalation in the Middle East on February 28. By itemising the fee separately (ranging from R35,000 extra in operating costs per flight hour), FlySafair is signalling a “transparency first" approach that many expect Uber and Bolt to mirror as they struggle to keep drivers on the road.
The silver lining
Despite the jitters, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has confirmed that South Africa’s fuel supply is secure for now. There’s no need to spend your Saturday in a three-hour queue at the Sasol on Jan Smuts; the fuel is there; it’s just going to cost more to move it.
The bottom line is, if you're planning on hitting the streets, you might want to budget a little extra for the ride home. Jozi’s nightlife isn't stopping, but getting there is about to get a whole lot pricier.
RECOMMENDED
📍 The best things to do in Johannesburg
🛏️ Where to stay in Johannesburg
🏨 The best hotels in Johannesburg
🍽 The best restaurants in Johannesburg
🍺 The best pubs and bars in Johannesburg
Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram!