e-tolls

The Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA) says any plans aimed at saving the besieged e-tolling system will not work without the support of the majority of road users.

The alliance was responding to media reports that government plans to introduce a R120 surcharge on annual car licence fees in Gauteng in a bid to rescue the system.

During his state of the province address, Premier David Makhura, says the final decision on e-tolls will be made once the work of a team led by Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has completed its work.

Finance Minister, Nhlanhla Nene, says the e-toll tariffs will be adjusted downwards but government remains committed to the principle of road users funding improvements to keep the South African National Roads Agency Limited solvent.

Delivering his 2015/16 national budget in the National Assembly, Nene stated that: "Concerns regarding the socio-economic impact of toll tariffs have been heard, and revised monthly ceilings will shortly be proposed."

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) says Gauteng e-tolls system must be scrapped.
 
COSATU general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, states that the federation will ask for a meeting with the Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, over the controversial e-tolls.
 
Vavi argues that e-tolls are not working and are an expensive way of collecting and paying for debts.
 

The Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA) says nothing but a decision to mothball Gauteng's controversial e-toll system will heal the rift of trust which has arisen between the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) and the public.

Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, has refuted a newspaper report quoting him saying e-toll bills must be paid in adherence to the government's decision.

In a press statement, Makhura spokesperson, Nino Zama, points out that, "At no point did the premier say ‘motorists should pay because government has an upper hand’.”

Zama states that Makhura has always maintained the view that people must continue to pay for e-tolls, as we find a lasting solution.

The Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA) has expressed disappointment at the consultative meeting being held by the Gauteng Provincial Government on e-tolls.

OUTA chairperson, Wayne Duvenage, says the panel, which was appointed to look into e-tolls, does not have the necessary scope to take it to a national level.

The organisation has also lashed out at the Gauteng Provincial Government for complicating issues and not addressing the elephant in room, which it claims is the fact that the e-toll system has failed.

Gauteng premier David Makhura is due to meet key players and the public on Friday to discuss the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) and e-tolls.

In a press statement, Makhura spokesperson, Nino Zama, points out that plans to discuss a report by the advisory panel set up to assess the GFIP and e-tolling's socio-economic impact.

Justice Project South Africa (JPSA) says the Gauteng e-toll review panel's report fails to include some of the alternative recommendations they raised.
 
JPSA chairperson, Howard Dembovsky, says the fuel levy could have settled the South African National Roads Agency Limited’s debt it incurred for building roads quicker, than imposing e-tolls.
 

Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, says that the e-tolling system placed a disproportionate burden on low and middle income households.

Announcing the findings and recommendations following a report by a panel which reviewed the socio-economic impact of the e-tolls last year, Makhura stated that, "In its current form, the e-toll system is unaffordable and inequitable and places disproportionate burden on low and middle income households."

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) is expected to make more submissions to the e-tolls advisory panel sitting in Pretoria.

Earlier this month, the agency told the panel that it had spent 95 percent of its budget on maintaining the road network in South Africa.

SANRAL chief executive officer, Nazir Ali, suggested that more goods must be transported by rail.