Amid the controversy surrounding the Gauteng e-tolling system, the Road Freight Association (RFA) has proposed an e-toll fee of 12c/km for trucks and 5c/km for cars.
The association has welcomed transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele's suspension of the toll tariffs this week, which were initially set at R3.96/km for heavy vehicles or trucks, and 66c/km for cars.
“The minister's announcement of the suspended toll system may be indicative of the citizens of South Africa taking a stand against the hefty tolls that they are being expected to pay, without consultation and without consideration for their already dwindling pay packet.”
However, the association says the suspension is only a small break from the problem.
“It may be a short reprieve for road users. Sanral's [South African National Road Agency's] R20 billion debt still needs to be paid, so road users will still have to pay, unless government finds a way to phase in the tolling.”
Irresponsible e-tolls
The RFA says it supports toll roads, as this seems to be the only way that revenue is dedicated and ring-fenced for new roads, maintenance and improvement.
However, it adds that the e-tolling tariffs are excessive and irresponsible, given the knock-on effect these would have.
“While we don't expect to have good roads for free - we feel that a realistic fee of 12c/km would be more acceptable and would be a lot more affordable,” says RFA spokesperson Gavin Kelly.
“For cars they can charge 5c/km. We got these figures from guys we spoke to in the road construction business and that's what they said it costs roughly per kilometre.”
All aboard
Following government's focus on job creation, growth and economic development in the recent state of the nation address and budget speech, the RFA says the cavalier attitude exhibited by government towards the impact of the new toll system and the lack of public consultation is shocking.
“If the gazetted tariffs remain unchanged, this will definitely undermine their goals and will have a catastrophic effect on the economy and the man in the street - virtually no one will be left unscathed,” says Kelly.
The association says current calculations indicate that truck operator costs will increase by between 23% and 30%.
“If the operator is unable to pass on this additional cost to their customers, this could result in a 10% to 20% loss to their bottom line, which will result in a lot of small operators folding.”
It says the cost of basic foodstuff, such as bread, would also be impacted. The costs of an eight ton freight vehicle delivering bread from Germiston in and around Johannesburg will result in a 16% to 20% increase, after the e-tag discount, and from Germiston to Pretoria will result in a 20% increase - and these costs will be passed on to the price of a loaf of bread.
“Consumers need to be aware that there is a transport component on every product moved by a truck, from raw material to manufacturing to warehouse and to retail, before it reaches them and at the end of the day consumers will be paying much more than the cost of a single trip through the gantries.
“According to the minister of transport - 'if you don't like the price of a toll road, hop on a taxi, a bus or train'. While this may work for a passenger, what about the freight operator?” asks the RFA.
Aarto advantage
According to the Sanral Act, non payment of toll fees now constitutes an Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) offence, says the association.
Its concern is that, in the absence of Aarto, the collectability of toll fees will be low and the trucker will be left to subsidise the non-payers, since organised businesses will be more likely to pay.
Aarto will see the allocation of demerit points to traffic law infringers. It was set to be introduced on a national basis from 1 April, but the department now says a date has not been confirmed by the minister.
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