For the purposes of Metrobus's operations, the city has been divided into concentric zones, radiating out from the CBD. There are currently six zones, with most of the routes starting from the inner city points in Zone 1.

The number of zones a commuter crosses determines the fare.

• Zone 1: From the city centre to Parktown and to Joe Slovo Drive and Louis Botha Avenue.
  
• Zone 2: From the corner of Jan Smuts Avenue and Empire Road in Braamfontein to the corner of Jan Smuts Avenue and Tyrwhitt Road in Rosebank.
  
• Zone 3: From the corner of Jan Smuts Avenue and Tyrwhitt Road in Rosebank to Craighall Park.
  
• Zone 4: From Craighall Park along Beyers Naude Drive and to the Randburg Mall.
  
• Zone 5: From the Randburg Mall to Beverley Gardens.
  
• Zone 6: From Beverley Gardens to Northgate.
  

As demand for public transport grows, Metrobus increases the number of routes to different areas.

Some major routes do not go through the CBD at all. One such route goes between Soweto, Sandton and Sunninghill.

• In addition Metrobus also runs three cross-town routes:Route 520 between Naturena and Randburg Centre
  
• Route 420 operates between Westgate Shopping Centre
  
• Randburg Centre via Strijdom Park
  
• Route 421, which has four variations:R421 A: Bellevue to Auckland Park.
  
• R421 F: Bellevue to Fairlands.
  
• R421 N: Yeoville to Northgate
  
• R421 S: Yeoville to Strijdom Park.
  
• These routes and bus stops are clearly marked with a white sign, indicated on the top of the route number and on the bottom of the zone number.