The final announcement on the controversial Gauteng e-tolling system will be made next week, according to the Department of Transport (DOT).
This is the timeframe given this morning by the DOT's deputy director of media relations, Sam Monareng.
However, the final steering committee meeting has not occurred, nor has a date been finalised for the meeting yet.
The steering committee was appointed by transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele to review the e-toll tariff structure and engage with the public on the matter. It was supposed to meet with stakeholders on 18 April, to present a report on the considerations that arose from the consultation process.
However, the meeting did not happen due to the stretch of public holidays. The report, on which the announcement will be based, is also not ready. Monareng says it is in the process of being finalised and consolidated.
E-tolling is an open road, multilane toll infrastructure that allows for tolls to be charged without drivers having to stop. There are no physical booths.
The toll tariffs were initially gazetted at 66c/km for standard light motor vehicles, and R3.96/km for heavy vehicles. However, large-scale public outrage resulted in the fees being suspended and consultation processes were started by the DOT.
Deciding week
Monareng says the April date for the meeting was postponed due to the public holidays.
“We thought a lot of stakeholders will be away on holiday. That's why we decided to postpone.”
He says no new date has been set for the meeting. “Everybody just got back from work after the holidays so a date hasn't been set, but the meeting will happen before the end of the week.”
Levy this
Two main points were constantly raised during the public consultations.
The first is that there should be some kind of independent body serving as a watchdog over the South African National Roads Agency Limited, since the agency should not be in control of the e-toll system on its own.
The second point that continued to emerge is that instead of toll fees there should be a fuel levy and this levy should be implemented countrywide.
All the presentations and inputs from the consultations are being consolidated into a single report and all the stakeholders will be given feedback at the meeting this week.
The estimated monthly revenue from e-tolling, based on current traffic flow and the proposed fee of 66c/km, is R300 million per month. Live testing of the e-tolling system has begun, but the final implementation date is unclear.
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