Union: Tolls a risk for food security

Johannesburg - The farmers' union TAU SA has voiced concern over the impact toll fees would have on food prices.

Union president Louis Meintjes said on Wednesday farmers already have their backs against the wall with rising fuel prices and higher vehicle registration and licence fees.

The additional burden of toll fees on Gauteng freeways would put farmers in an impossible position, he told Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele in a letter released to the media.

"It becomes clear that primary producers of food are confronted by input cost increases which cannot be recovered from income received on markets," Meintjes wrote.

He asked the minister for a personal conversation to reach a solution, not just about the toll fees, but also on other transportation-related issues that affect farmers.

"Bearing in mind that food security should be regarded as a strategic national asset, the question arises whether the time has not come to reconsider issues which could be managed in the national interest which would contribute to ensuring the maintenance of productivity and the interest of the people."

TAU SA joined a growing list of groups opposed to the introduction of the tolls.

The Congress of SA Trade Unions recently led a march in protest over tolling, saying the costs would cripple poor people and small businesses already struggling with increased fuel prices.

Earlier on Wednesday, the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said it would soon issue revised terms and conditions for road users who register for the Gauteng e-tolling.

"We believe that these new terms and conditions will allay fears consumers may have," Sanral said.

Information on what these might be was not immediately available.

The new terms and conditions are expected to be released when Sanral and the National Consumer Commission's (NCC's) "engagement" is concluded.

They were based on concerns and recommendations by the public, Sanral said.

They would apply to all who have already registered or plan to register as users, and registered users would not be disadvantaged.

"This decision is a demonstration that we take the concerns and input of the public seriously. We also continue to cooperate and engage with the National Consumer Commission on this matter."

A meeting was scheduled with the NCC and the Democratic Alliance on Wednesday. Sanral has missed two previous meetings.

Sanral reiterated that users' banking details would be required only if they choose a payment option which requires them to provide this information.

The Gauteng e-tolls will be an open road tolling system with overhead gantries fitted with equipment to read vehicles' number plates as they pass underneath and calculate the toll fees based on vehicles' dimensions.

There will be no tolling booths and traffic will flow as drivers would not have to slow down. Deductions will be made from users' e-toll accounts.

Registration is at e-toll customer centres and some shopping malls.

Payment options include having fees deducted from credit card accounts with top-up thresholds set by account holders, or pre-paying and topping up via in-vehicle e-tags.

Visitors to Gauteng can register in advance for day passes. Users who do not register will be invoiced with a due date for payment.