E-tolling put on hold

The minister of transport has ordered all projects and processes relating to tolling highways to stop, while there is more consultation on the matter.
THE Open Road Tolling (ORT) system has again been put on hold while details about the financial cost of the system to the consumer are being ironed out.

Minister Sibusiso Nbedele has put e-tolling on holdMinister Sibusiso Ndebele has put e-tolling on holdThis comes after Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele instructed the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) to halt all road projects and processes related to the tolling of national roads. He believes that the country requires good road infrastructure to meet its economic growth targets, but it shouldn’t put a huge financial burden on the shoulders of consumers.

The first phase of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project had delivered good road infrastructure and it was an expensive exercise that had drawn sharp views from the public, he said.

“All spheres of government should be part of a consultative process with all affected parties, consumers in the main. Good infrastructure is a necessity for a better future for our country, but this requirement must not leave our people even poorer.”

The cabinet approved the tariffs for the Gauteng toll roads on 11 August. The approved tariffs are cheaper than those initially proposed and Sanral had scheduled February 2012 for their implementation.

However, Ndebele said all these processes, including a consultative outreach, should be allowed to reach their logical conclusions, ensuring that all parties concerned and their respected views could be brought on board. The aim of Sanral’s electronically operated tolling system on provincial freeways is to ensure that drivers using the roads pay for them.

According to the Gauteng department of transport, under these new charges, motorcycles will be charged 24 cents per kilometre, a drop from the initial 29 cents. Light motor vehicles (class A2) will pay 40 cents, while it will cost R1 for medium vehicles (class B). Longer vehicles (class C) will pay R2 per kilometre.

In addition to the 31 percent e-tag discount, there will be further discounts depending on time of day of the drive, and how frequently motorcycles and light motor vehicles fitted with e-tags travel. Commuter taxis and buses approved by authorities have been exempted from paying toll fees.

The toll tariffs and discount structure is available online.

In Joburg, there are toll gantries on the N1, M1, N3 and N12 highways.