The Department of Transport's (DOT's) consultations around the e-tolling tariff structure are unsatisfactory, according to the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele this month announced a steering committee for the controversial system.
E-tolling is an open road, multi-lane toll infrastructure that allows for tolls to be charged without drivers having to stop. There are no physical booths.
Fees announced at 66c/km for standard motor vehicles were met with outrage from interest groups and the public. The DOT subsequently suspended the fees in aid of further consultation and deliberation.
“We have formed a steering committee to address on a consultative basis the proposed tariff structure and to explore the possibilities of increasing the public transport offering to provide more options and ease the burden on the Gauteng commuter,” says Ndebele.
Repetitive mess
DA shadow deputy minister of transport Manny de Freitas says the consultation process needs to be widened.
“The steering committee comprises various stakeholders, who will be finalised by 20 March, and four people from the government. There is no one representing road users themselves. Considering that this will affect road users directly, this is simply unacceptable.”
He adds that although the DA acknowledges the steering committee will also include representatives from organised labour and business, commuter organisations and trade unions, the consultation process still remains too closed and high-level.
“This limited consultation has a potential of repeating the problem that the minister currently finds himself in, where there was mass outcry by road users in general on the unacceptably high toll tariffs.”
Independent consultations
De Freitas says the consultation process needs to ensure the voices of individual people using the roads in Gauteng are heard.
“Leaving out the people who use Gauteng roads daily may result in businesses being forced out of the province to areas that will demand less expenses than these toll roads will demand.”
De Freitas also says the representation from government is questionable and there should be an independent person running the consultations.
“They want that same outcome anyway. I won't be surprised if the eventual outcome is very similar to the initial one.”
Reasonable public
The shadow deputy minister says the department only invited written submissions by the public, but the consultation needs to be more user-friendly.
“How does the man in the street, who drives a taxi, but can't afford to post or doesn't have the time to, get his word across? Why don't they do something like a roadshow that goes into communities to discuss? Gauteng is not so big so it's not impossible. Why are they not advertising widely on radio? It's all a facade. They just created a facade of consultation.”
He says from discussions with communities it is clear that people are not actually against paying toll fees. It's just the price they find to be over the top. “So the public is reasonable. They know road maintenance is expensive and the government needs help funding it.”
De Freitas says he will ask the department how it will be known whether all comments and submissions from the public are actually taken into account.
“As long as there's been a process it's like they don't have to actually listen to what people say.”
Committee core
Ndebele said all written submissions would be taken into consideration by the committee when compiling its report by the end of April.
“The steering committee is charged with reviewing the financial assumptions underpinning the current proposed tariff structure.”
It is chaired by the DG of transport, George Mahlalela; and its core is made up of Kgaogelo Lekgoro from the premier's office; Benny Monama, head of department Gauteng; and Nazir Alli, CEO of Sanral.
The constitution of the committee is expected to be completed by 20 March.
Submissions can be forwarded to the DOT, 159 Struben Street, Pretoria, 0002, for the attention of the director-general.
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