Gauteng’s toll-road system is here to stay and the proposed tariff of 66c/km for ordinary cars will probably not change, the Star reported on Monday.
This is according to report from the Department of Transport’s steering committee which was sent to organisations that had opposed the toll fees.
The SA National Roads Agency announced in February that it would start charging 66c/km at the 42 electronic toll gates erected on the N1, N3, N12, N17, R21 and R24 highways. The tolls cover a distance of about 185km.
Concern was raised by businesses, labour and political parties about the effect toll fees will have on the poor and the economy.
The report, said the Star, did not say what the final toll tariffs would be but it defended the calculation used to determine the original tariff of 66c/km.
“The tolling of the GFIP [Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project] cannot be cancelled. The improvements have been made and the benefits of these improvements are being enjoyed by road users,” the report says.
The final decision on the e-tolling was expected at the end of next month.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng rejected the “partial and biased analysis” of the department’s steering committee.
“We are paying the price of very poor planning by the Gauteng roads and transport department. A key question not answered by the report is how much we are really paying for the e-tolling collection system,” DA MPL Neil Campbell said in a statement.
“We hope that we will get honest answers at the final consultation meeting to be held this Thursday.” – Sapa