Share

Sanral: Tolls will benefit motorists

Johannesburg - The Gauteng e-Tolling system will benefit motorists, SA National Roads Agency CEO Nazir Alli said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a panel discussion hosted by the Johannesburg Press Club, Alli defended the contentious tolling system in Gauteng, saying little was mentioned of the benefits it would bring for motorists.

This included better roads decreasing the cost of wear and tear on vehicles.

SA Transport and Allied Workers Union general secretary Zenzo Mahlangu said workers remained worried and he repeated Cosatu's call for an integrated public transport system.

"We are quite worried... in particular with this monster called e-Tolling.

"This animal with so many tails, we believe will have a depleting impact of our pockets," he said.

Alli said he did not believe transport was the solution to "our problems at all".

He said while a well-oiled, integrated transport system may "make life easier", it would not solve the problems.

According to proposals of the new Gauteng toll tariffs, users of light motor vehicles would pay 40c/km instead of 49c/km, minibus taxi drivers 11c/km instead of 16c and bikers 24c instead of 30c/km.

The initial tariff announced was 66c/km for vehicles without an e-tag account.

But the amount sparked an outcry from civil society, with Cosatu threatening strike action.

Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele and Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane met to discuss the matter and announced that a task team would examine the costing and make alternative proposals.

An e-tag works much like pre-paid cellphone airtime, fits on the front windscreen of a vehicle and is scanned by toll gantries.

For medium vehicles, the toll fee was reduced from R1.49/km to R1 and for large vehicles from R2.97 to R2. For commuter buses the cost would be reduced from 50c/km to 36c.

The proposals were made to the transport and finance ministers, as well as the Gauteng premier. They will then make a pronouncement on the matter, with Ndebele expected to make a final announcement.

Alli said it remained up to Ndebele on whether the proposal would be accepted. 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.92
+0.1%
Rand - Pound
24.02
+0.4%
Rand - Euro
20.53
+0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.33
+0.7%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+1.1%
Platinum
897.05
-0.6%
Palladium
997.25
-0.9%
Gold
2,154.19
-0.3%
Silver
24.89
-0.6%
Brent Crude
86.89
+1.8%
Top 40
65,784
-0.7%
All Share
72,007
-0.6%
Resource 10
52,906
-0.8%
Industrial 25
99,553
-0.9%
Financial 15
16,591
-0.2%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders