Public transport alternative to e-tolling?

The Department of Transport (DOT) is attempting to soften the blow of e-tolling by highlighting new public transport plans and improvements.

However, this may not be enough, according to Democratic Alliance Gauteng spokesperson on transport Neil Campbell.

He says there needs to be better planning. “The problem is that we don't have an integrated transport plan. No one sits down and says this is our plan for the province. We need good public transport. Gauteng is very concentrated and this is ideal for public transport.”

One of the major criticisms of the e-tolling system and the heavy fees gazetted for it, was that there was no viable public transport alternative that citizens could turn to in order to avoid the high toll costs.

Transport minister Subusiso Ndebele now says government is going all out to ensure safe, efficient, reliable and affordable public transport.

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.

“Johannesburg's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system has been described as far better than that of New York by Walter Hook, head of the Institute for Transportation and Development Planning in New York City,” says the department.

However, Campbell says the BRT system is too confined to be of much impact on its own. “It only covers a very small area of Johannesburg so it can't really go anywhere.”

Ndebele this week announced a R97 billion rail upgrade programme which will be rolled out over 18 years.

“Additional allocations over the MTEF [Medium-Term Expenditure Framework] include R2.5 billion to municipalities for public transport systems and infrastructure as well as additional funds for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, for replacing signalling infrastructure and refurbishing rail coaches,” says the DOT.

It adds that a total of R30.2 billion will be spent improving the passenger rail system over the next three years.

Campbell questions why the condition of the Metrorail and passenger rail system was allowed to deteriorate so badly in the first place.

Gauteng transport MEC Ismail Vadi this week also announced the Gautrain fares, which will be applicable once the full system is operational on 1 July.

The Gautrain Management Agency says the determined fares are based on the principle of affordability and are highly competitive compared to other modes of public transport.

“They are sufficiently price-attractive to create a substantial shift from private car use to public transport in the form of the Gautrain.”

Campbell says this is actually why the Gautrain can also not be a viable public transport alternative on its own.

“The fares are reasonable but only for the small part of the population that can afford cars. It's only cheaper than a car and not a taxi or Metrorail.”

A person who buys a monthly ticket for the trips between Hatfield Station in Tshwane and Park Station in the Johannesburg CBD - the longest possible trip on the system - will pay R39 per trip.

If they buy a weekly ticket, the trip will cost R43. However, for a single ticket, it will be R49 per trip.

The MEC said this compares favourably to the cost of a single trip between Hatfield and the Johannesburg CBD for a 1 600cc car, which is R61. “This is for fuel and tyres only, and excludes depreciation, maintenance and parking costs.”

The Gautrain Feeder and Distribution bus fare will be R6 per trip for a person specifically making use of the Gautrain. For other ordinary users of the Gautrain buses, the fare will be R20 per trip, says the agency.

Parking fees at stations will be R10 per day if the Gautrain is used and R80 per day if the train is not used.

The DOT also announced a multibillion-rand transport improvement plan for the country.

It says there will be consolidated multibillion-rand improvements by government to transport infrastructure over the next two years.

The department adds that these improvements “are guaranteed to radically change the way South Africans travel”.

The costs equate to R66 billion over the next year, and rise to R80 billion by 2013/14. The DOT says the improvements are set to create numerous job and tourism opportunities.

“Current transport infrastructure developments have been recognised as being world-class standard.”

Ndebele says major capital injection into transport-related infrastructure and operations over the past few years has begun to produce some important results.

Gauteng e-tolling system consultations resulted in calls for a Sanral watchdog and a fuel levy as opposed to the controversial toll system.

Campbell says there are two options. One is to translate the cost into a fuel levy, and the second is a hybrid option where the fees are reduced and some added to the fuel levy. “Anything else will be booed out.”

The steering committee hosting the consultations is expected to meet with stakeholders on 18 April with a report on the considerations.

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.