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Cosatu rejects e-toll reductions

Farzana Rasool
By Farzana Rasool, ITWeb IT in Government Editor.
Johannesburg, 19 Jul 2011

The proposed reduction of the tariffs for the controversial Gauteng e-tolling system is nowhere near enough, says the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu).

Tariffs initially gazetted for the system in April were suspended due to public outrage over how high they were.

Transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele subsequently set up a steering committee to host consultations on the matter. The steering committee last month recommended new tariffs that offer slight reductions on the initial fees.

It suggested a reduction from 66c/km for light motor vehicles without e-tags to 58c/km and from R3.95 for heavy vehicles without e-tags to R2.95.

Principle rejected

Several stakeholders said this reduction is a positive progression, but not a satisfactory end-result.

“These minimal reductions in no way meet Cosatu's objections to the imposition of these road tolls and [we] urge the minister of transport to reject the recommendation,” says the trade union federation.

It adds that it is shocked by the assertion by transport director-general George Mahlalela, who acted as chairperson of the steering committee, that “the principle of tolling has been accepted”, and that the issue is now only the amount of the tolls and making them more affordable.

“Accepted by whom? There has been virtually no consultation, only one public meeting. Cosatu has never been consulted on these tolls and remains adamantly opposed to the principle,” it states.

Grotesque profits

The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) says the tolls will impose a huge additional burden on road users, and will see the hand-over of grotesque profits to those who will benefit from this system.

“It will have a devastating effect on workers who have no alternative but to drive to work, because of the lack of a proper public transport system, and will lead to big price increases in the shops to cover the increased cost of transporting goods,” says Cosatu.

It welcomes Satawu's plans for marches, demonstrations, pickets and stay-aways and promises that it will march with the union.

“We are confident that thousands of other Gauteng residents will be joining in these protests as well.”

Cosatu says it will definitely take strike action if the tolls are not scrapped.

July decision

The steering committee's recommended tariffs for vehicles with e-tags include a decrease from 30c/km to 24c/km for motorcycles (class A1) and 49.5c/km to 40c/km for light vehicles (class A2).

For medium vehicles (class B) the proposed toll tariff fee is down to R1/km, from R1.49/km, for large vehicles (Class C) from R2.97/km to R2/km, taxis will be 11c/km, from 16.5c/km, while commuter busses (Class B) would see a reduction to 36.3c/km, from 50c/km.

The e-tolling project is an open road, multilane toll infrastructure that allows tolls to be charged without drivers having to stop. There are no physical booths.

The DOT previously said the minister will make a decision on the tariffs by the end of July.

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