Western Cape’s Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme wins Gold for public service innovation
The Western Cape Government’s Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme walked away with Gold in the Best Public Service Innovator Team category at the annual Western Cape Government Service Excellence Awards.
The Best Public Service Innovator Team category recognises teams or projects that have successfully introduced innovative approaches to improving service delivery, operational efficiency or government processes.
The Jobseeker Travel Voucher programme provides unemployed jobseekers with free public transport to travel to job interviews and work opportunities in Cape Town and George, helping to remove barriers that often prevent people from accessing employment opportunities: the cost of getting to job interviews.
Since the programme’s launch in Cape Town in February 2024, it has been expanded to George. Over 40,000 beneficiaries have registered with the initiative and have collectively taken over 60,000 bus trips to access job opportunities.
The programme is also reaching groups that are particularly vulnerable to the cost of unemployment, with 69% of beneficiaries being women and 65% being young people.
Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku said the award is recognition of a programme that is making a huge difference in helping unemployed people access opportunities.
“This Gold award is a proud moment for everyone who has contributed to making this programme a success, from the team delivering it to our partners and the jobseekers who use it. It shows that when we work together to address the challenges our residents face, we can make a meaningful difference. We remain committed to building on this success and helping more unemployed residents take steps towards a better future,” said Minister Sileku.
Registered unemployed jobseekers receive six free off-peak trips, which can be used between 9am and 3pm on weekdays, to travel for job interviews and work opportunities.
Registering is simple:
- Register online at the website.
- Visit a Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) or GO GEORGE kiosk with your ID.
- Collect your card with the preloaded travel voucher.
The programme is available to unemployed residents aged 15 to 65 with a valid South African ID in participating areas.
Minister Sileku added, “the Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme is about more than providing a free trip. It is about connecting people to opportunity. Every trip taken represents a jobseeker who was able to get to an interview, pursue an opportunity or take another step towards employment. We encourage unemployed residents in Cape Town and George to make use of this programme.”
For more information visit the website.
To register, go to the Getting You to Work portal.
Media Enquiries
Byron La Hoe
Acting Media Liaison Officer to Minister Isaac Sileku
Western Cape Mobility Department
Email: Byron.laHoe@westerncape.gov.za
Muneera Allie
Head of Communication
Western Cape Mobility Department
Email: Muneera.Allie@westerncape.gov.za