Gauteng relieved at e-toll delay

Gauteng drivers are breathing sighs of relief since the postponement of e-tolling signifies a victory for those opposing the controversial system.

This is according to the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu), which welcomes the news of the postponement.

The SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) board on Friday announced that the dreaded system put in place to fund the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) would not commence in February as planned.

Opposition parties, labour, business, fleet associations and citizens strongly opposed the system, resulting in this third delay as the agency will consider stakeholder comment and petitions on the matter, and then present a report to transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele who will then address Cabinet.

“This is a significant victory for the millions of residents of Gauteng who have expressed their total opposition to this attempt to force them to pay huge amounts of extra money just to travel on the province's highways,” says Cosatu.

The federation adds that this is also a victory for itself and its affiliates whose members faced the prospect of paying out hundreds of extra rands just to travel to and from work.

“It is victory for Gauteng consumers who faced massive increased prices as a result of the extra cost of transporting goods to the shops being passed on to shoppers.

“We urge the minister and Cabinet to take note of the mass opposition to these tolls and instruct Sanral to abandon them for good.”

In the meantime, Cosatu urges motorists not to register with Sanral or buy e-tags.

“Our members remain mobilised for a campaign of mass action if [Friday's] decision is reversed. The federation calls upon government to prioritise the roll-out of efficient, reliable, affordable and safe public transport for all the people of SA.“

This sentiment was echoed by several other parties.

“At a special Savrala members meeting [on Friday], it was agreed that the association would continue to oppose the current GFIP e-tolling implementation plan and, if necessary, take legal action.

“The members confirmed that they were not unwilling to pay for the GFIP (or other road) improvements but wanted a more cost-efficient funding model which the national fuel levy presents.

“It is obvious that the general public, despite the expensive Sanral marketing campaign, have given a clear signal to Sanral that it rejects its e-toll plans.”

The association adds that the current investments in e-tags, infrastructure, staff and vehicles need not go to waste.

It explains that should the new Sanral board recommend to the minister that the national fuel levy be used for the funding requirements, the current GFIP e-toll infrastructure, for example, could be used to assist in several Gauteng pilot projects to help better manage the current traffic violation process and even the pre-payment of vehicle licence discs.

“We should look to try and utilise the available technology in a more value-adding and innovative manner.”

The Democratic Alliance (DA) and Business Unity SA (Busa) have also welcomed the postponement of the system.

“We are not surprised by this decision as Sanral has not done their homework and there has not been nearly enough consultation,” says DA Gauteng transport spokesperson Neil Campbell.

“We anticipate further delays in the implementation date as there are still many vital legal and logistical issues that need clarification.”

He explains that these include the issue of prosecutions for non-payment, the categories of taxis and busses to be exempted from tolls, and the responses of the ministers for finance and transport to the petitions submitted to them.

“The DA continues to believe that this is an unjust toll system which will fail due to boycotts and a justice system that will not be able to cope with the resulting volume of prosecutions.”

Busa says the delay has created an excellent opportunity for a serious in-depth consultation on alternative modalities to finance much-need road upgrading.

The Sanral board has said there is no new expected commencement date for e-tolling.

Media reports said Nedeble distanced himself from the project, saying it is a very heavy burden on motorists.

Transport spokesperson Logan Maistry says the minister did say the tolls would place a very heavy burden on drivers, but said nothing about distancing himself from the project.

He explained that the minister was talking about how the project was initiated by the Gauteng Provincial Government in the 1990s and in explaining this process, pointed out that he was not transport minister at that point. “So there was no distancing at all. The minister was explaining when the process began.”

Reports have also said Sanral is now questioning where it will get the money from to fund the GFIP and repay loans, saying it would have to cancel its planned bond auction for March.

CEO Nazir Alli reportedly said the postponement came as a surprise to him. Sanral did not respond to ITWeb's queries by the time of publication.