The real cost of e-tolls

Fin24 users are worried about the spiral effect e-tolling is going to have on the cost of all items.

Fin24 user Don Wylde writes: "What amazes me is that everyone seems to be ignoring what the cost of e-tolls is going to have on the cost of all items in Gauteng.
 
"The ANC and others are saying that e-tolling is not going to effect the poor as taxis are exempt, but what they are failing to point out is how much delivery trucks are going to have to pay.

"In a country where 85% or more of all deliveries are done by road, the trucking companies and all retailers are going to have to put up their prices as they won't absorb this additional cost.

"With the huge increases already being experienced on basic foods, this is going to put even more pressure on the poor and middle class."

Davefromdurbs says e-tolling equates to a nearly R6/l fuel increase for travellers without e-tags.

" ... it occurred to me that given an average car's fuel consumption of in the region of 10km per liter, then 30 cents per km toll for an e-tag would be like the cost of fuel increasing by R3 per liter or there abouts and nearly R6 per liter for travellers without an e-tag.

"Imagine the fuel price going up by R6/l... there would be anarchy across the country.

"Little wonder the powers that be are so keen on e-tolling... 30c per km doesn't sound so bad, but convert it into a fuel price increase and you have a frightening number."

For Tshepo Rams the costs are devastating. "Just imagine travelling to Joburg Monday to Friday. How much will it be per month? You're also paying for the car and insurance. Food is already expensive and then we must pay for tolls. This is very unfair to road users. This is totally unfair."

With the high levels of unemployment Tshepo doesn't think e-tolls will benefit South Africa in any way. "The government would be wise to reconsider this tolls."

- Fin24

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