Social networks to fight e-tolling

The Democratic Alliance (DA) yesterday unveiled its campaign, “TollfreeGP”, against the contentious Gauteng e-tolling system.

“Everyone can join this campaign as everyone will be affected by the toll fees that are set for February next year,” says DA leader in the Gauteng Legislature Jack Bloom.

The campaign was launched at the legislature and will involve public mobilisation through social media and various protest actions.

“Innovative tactics will be used to effectively channel public opposition so that these tolls are stopped,” says the official opposition party.

“We have seen how people power mobilised through social media has toppled governments around the world.”

The DA has set up an interactive Web site at www.tollfreegp.co.za, a TollfreeGP Facebook page, and a Twitter account (@TollFreeGP).

It adds that a mobi site will be set up shortly.

“Features of the Web site include posters that can be downloaded and printed, including “10 Reasons to Stop the Toll Roads”. People can also recruit friends and tell how the tolls will affect them personally.”

The Web site also includes a table that will help people work out approximately how much they will pay per month in toll fees. “This will be between R400 and R800 a month for the average private motor vehicle user.”

The DA says it also has a number of actions that will place pressure on the Gauteng provincial government to abandon the tolls.

This includes a motion that will be raised by DA Gauteng transport spokesperson Neil Campbell for debate at the legislature sitting on Tuesday. “We encourage members of the public to attend.”

The Stop Highway Robbery petition has also been signed by more than 12 000 people, and the legislature's petitions committee will shortly hold public hearings on this and other anti-toll petitions.

The DA has submitted applications in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act to both the SA National Roads Agency and the Electronic Toll Collection Consortium.

“We need to know if we can cancel this contract without too high a penalty. There is a major lack of transparency on the e-tolling contract that will apparently cost about R14 billion, which is outrageous, particularly as the profits will mostly go to a foreign company.”

Other actions against the e-tolling system include DA public representatives and activists hosting information tables at shopping centres to gather more support for the TollfreeGP campaign, and DA leader Helen Zille leading a major protest march.

The opposition party says there will be meetings throughout the province and some surprise actions as well.

“Members of the public are encouraged not to apply for the e-tags until certain crucial problems are solved. For example, what is the recourse if incorrectly charged, or money is summarily deducted from your bank account?

“The DA calls on everyone to unite against these tolls that will be economically ruinous. It is one tax too many. Together we can stop these tolls.”

Fees initially gazetted for the e-toll system in February were suspended due to public pressure.

Cabinet in August approved reduced tariffs for e-tolling in Gauteng, which dictate motorcycles (Class A1) with e-tags will pay 24c/km; light vehicles (Class A2) will pay 40c/km; medium vehicles (Class B) 100c/km; and “longer” vehicles (Class C) 200c/km.

Qualifying commuter taxis (Class A2) and commuter buses (Class B) are completely exempt from the e-toll system.

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 system is expected to be implemented over the next four months.