Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Transport director general George Mahlalela,
who is also chairperson of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) toll
steering committee, reiterated on Monday that no decision has been made on the
Gauteng toll tariffs.
Mahlalela's comments follow media reports that the proposed
toll tariff of 66c/km would more than likely not change. The media reports were
based on "inaccurate claims" on the department of transport's
steering committee report, which was sent out to various organisations that had
made public proposals on the toll fees, the transport department said.
"We wish to reiterate that no decision has been made
on the Gauteng toll tariffs," Mahlalela said. "The tariffs will be
announced by Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele in due course, after studying
the final recommendations of the steering committee as well as consultation
with the political oversight committee."
He said that the committee, set up by Ndebele to make
recommendations on the proposed toll tariff of 66c/km, has not completed its
report and will meet again with stakeholders on June 30.
"It was made clear right at the outset that the
principle of tolling has been accepted, and that the matter under review is the
proposed tariff of 66c/km. Therefore, this type of reporting by certain
sections of the media is totally mischievous," he said.
Mahlalela said that comments and proposals received had been
overwhelming, with the initial deadline of April 30 for submission of the
report having to be shifted. And with the majority of South Africans taking the
Easter holiday break, the steering committee decided to reschedule its
follow-up engagement and consultation with stakeholders.
He said that government was doing "everything possible" to resolve the matter in a manner that would be in the best interest of the commuter, road user and the state for future development and management of road infrastructure in the whole country.
