Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme: Get 6 FREE Bus Trips to Find Work

Looking for work can be expensive, especially when you have to pay for transport just to attend an interview, submit a CV or travel to an employment opportunity.

For unemployed job seekers in Cape Town and George, the Western Cape Government’s Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme, also known as Getting YOU to Work, is designed to help remove that barrier.

Eligible job seekers can receive six free bus trips to use while pursuing employment opportunities. The programme operates through Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) in Cape Town and GO GEORGE in George.

But before you register, it is important to understand exactly how the programme works, what counts as a trip and how to make the most of your six free rides.

What Is the Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme?

The Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme is a Western Cape Government initiative that provides qualifying unemployed job seekers with free public transport to help them access employment opportunities.

The idea behind the programme is simple: a lack of money for transport should not stop someone from looking for work or getting to an interview.

Since the programme was launched in February 2024, it has supported more than 24,000 job seekers in Cape Town, according to the Western Cape Government. The programme was expanded to George in 2026, giving more unemployed residents access to free travel support.

The programme is part of the Western Cape Government’s broader effort to reduce barriers that prevent unemployed people from accessing economic opportunities.

Who Qualifies for the Free Bus Trips?

According to the official Western Cape Government programme information, you may qualify if you:

• Are unemployed
• Have a valid South African ID
• Register on the official Getting YOU to Work online portal

Once you have successfully registered and collected your card, you receive six free bus trips as a once-off benefit. This means it is important to plan how you use your trips.

What Do You Actually Get?

The type of card you receive depends on where you are travelling:

If you live in Cape Town

You will receive a Golden Arrow Gold Card with six free trips loaded onto it. The trips can be used on Golden Arrow buses during the programme’s approved travel times.

If you live in George

You will receive a GO GEORGE Smart Card with six free trips loaded onto it for use on the GO GEORGE bus network.

The free trips are intended to help job seekers access opportunities such as job interviews, job applications and other work-related opportunities.

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When Can You Use Your Free Trips?

This is one of the most important things to remember.

The vouchers can be used:

Monday to Friday, between 9:00 and 15:00.

They cannot simply be used at any time of the day, so job seekers should consider this when planning interviews or travelling to look for work. If you have an appointment outside these hours, you may need to arrange and pay for your own transport.

What Does “6 Trips” Actually Mean?

The official FAQ explains that one trip is generally one bus ride. However, there is an important exception when you need to change buses.

Changing buses in Cape Town

If you are travelling on Golden Arrow and transfer to another bus within two hours of tapping onto your first bus, the transfer will count as part of the same trip. If you transfer after the two-hour window, another trip may be deducted.

Changing buses in George

For GO GEORGE passengers, you can transfer to another bus within one hour of tapping onto your first bus without using another trip. Transfers outside that one-hour window may result in another trip being deducted.

This is why planning your route before travelling is important. A journey that requires multiple buses could use more than one of your six trips if you do not make your connections within the applicable transfer period.

Can You Use All Six Trips in One Day?

Yes. According to the official programme FAQ, there is no limit on the number of free trips you can use in one day, as long as you still have trips available on your voucher and travel within the programme’s operating times.

However, because the six trips are a once-off benefit, it may be wise to use them strategically for opportunities that would otherwise be difficult to reach.

How Long Are the Vouchers Valid?

The validity period depends on the bus service:

• Golden Arrow Bus Services: Vouchers loaded from 1 April 2026 are valid until 31 March 2027
• GO GEORGE: Vouchers loaded from 1 April 2026 are valid until 30 June 2027

You do not necessarily need to use all six trips immediately, but you should always check the latest information when collecting your card, as programme rules and dates can change.

How to Register for the Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme

Registration is done through the official Getting YOU to Work portal.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Register online

Visit the official Getting YOU to Work registration portal and select “Jobseeker Registration.”

Step 2: Choose your transport service

Select the transport service available in your area:

• Golden Arrow Bus Services if you are using the programme in Cape Town
• GO GEORGE if you are using the programme in George

Step 3: Complete the registration process

Follow the prompts and provide the required information.

Step 4: Collect your card

After registering, take your valid identification document to a participating collection point, kiosk or vendor to collect your card with the free trips loaded onto it.

You can then tap your card when boarding the relevant bus and travel using your available free trips.

What ID Do You Need to Collect Your Voucher?

The Western Cape Government’s FAQ states that job seekers collecting their voucher can present acceptable identification such as:

• A green South African ID book
• A South African smart ID card
• A temporary South African ID
• A South African passport

Take your identification document with you when collecting your card to avoid unnecessary delays.

How Can You Make the Most of Your 6 Free Trips?

Six trips can go further when you have a plan. Before travelling, consider using the programme for opportunities where transport costs could prevent you from attending.

Use your trips strategically

Consider prioritising:

• Confirmed job interviews
• Recruitment days and career fairs
• Submitting applications where an in-person visit is required
• Employment assessments or skills-related opportunities
• Travelling to areas where there are multiple potential employers or vacancies

Plan your route before leaving home

Check bus routes and timetables before travelling. This can help you avoid missing connections and potentially using additional trips unnecessarily.

For Cape Town routes and transport information, visit Golden Arrow Bus Services.

George job seekers can find information about routes and services through GO GEORGE.

Prepare before you travel

Don’t use a valuable trip without being ready. Before attending an interview or dropping off applications, make sure you have:

• An updated CV
• Copies of your qualifications or certificates, if required
• A valid ID
• The correct address and contact details
• Enough time to arrive early

A free bus trip can get you to the opportunity — but being prepared can help you make the most of it.

What Happens If Your Card Is Lost or Stops Working?

If your card is not working, the Western Cape Government advises job seekers to contact the Western Cape Government Contact Centre for assistance.

Contact Centre: 0860 142 142
Email: service@westerncape.gov.za

There are different rules for replacing lost cards depending on whether you use Golden Arrow or GO GEORGE. For example, Golden Arrow users may be able to have remaining trips transferred to a replacement card after reporting the loss, while GO GEORGE users should be aware that rides may not be transferable to a replacement card. Replacement costs may also apply.

Why This Programme Matters for Job Seekers

Transport costs are often an invisible barrier to employment. You might have the qualifications, the CV and the motivation to work — but if you cannot afford to travel to an interview, the opportunity can disappear before you even get a chance to prove yourself.

The Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme does not guarantee anyone a job. What it does is remove one practical obstacle between an unemployed person and an opportunity.

The programme has already reached thousands of job seekers. In January 2026, the Western Cape Government reported that a survey of programme users found that 95% considered the vouchers beneficial, while 35% reported securing employment as a direct result. These figures show why affordable access to transport can play an important role in helping people stay active in their job search.

Register and Start Planning Your Next Move

If you are unemployed and looking for work in Cape Town or George, the Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme could help you reach opportunities without having to pay for every bus journey yourself.

Remember: the programme offers six free trips once per registered job seeker, so use them wisely and plan ahead.

Your next interview, job application or opportunity could be waiting on the other side of a bus journey. Don’t let transport costs be the reason you miss it.

Apply for the Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme

Register on the official Getting YOU to Work portal

Need More Information?

Visit the Western Cape Government’s official Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme page or contact the Western Cape Government Contact Centre on 0860 142 142.

Information in this article is based on the Western Cape Government’s official programme information and FAQs. Programme eligibility, collection points and operating conditions may change, so applicants should always confirm the latest details through the official portal before travelling.