Toll account registrations and e-tag distribution for phase one of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project is expected to start on Monday, the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said.
“Sanral wishes to encourage all Gauteng e-road users to become e-toll ready the most cost effective way, by getting an e-tag, registering an e-toll account and fitting their e-tag to the inside of their windscreens,” the agency said in a statement.
Gauteng toll tags would be operational at the Bakwena toll plazas from February 2012.
An e-tag would cost R50 a vehicle and the deposit would be credited to the motorist’s account.
The e-tags would be available from Checkers, Pick ‘n Pay, Shoprite, customer service outlets in Gauteng malls or customer centres along the Gauteng e-road.
E-tags could also be ordered online at or through the e-toll call centre at 0800 726 725.
Bakwena e-tag holders could use their existing e-tags, Sanral said.
Where to find what
Gauteng road users could register for a pre-paid account or a credit card settlement account.
Special arrangements have been put in place for buying e-tags and registering an e-toll account for fleets and groups of 50 or more. The details were available from the toll’s website.
Road users that chose not to have an e-tag could pay their toll by registering their vehicle licence plate number or by buying a day pass.
Qualifying commuter buses and taxis would be exempted from tolls on registered routes.
“Application for this exemption is not open yet, however operators that choose to register an e-toll account now may still do so.”
Last week, the transport ministry said planned tolling of roads in the country remained suspended.
Spokesperson Tiyani Rikhotso said the suspension included the planned phase two of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Plan (GFIP), the Cape Winelands, and the Wild Coast.
Halt
Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele ordered a halt to all road project processes related to the tolling of national roads on October 23.
Rikhotso said Cabinet had already made pronouncements on GFIP phase one when it released the revised fees, which included major discounts for regular users and total exemptions for public transport vehicles.
The Cabinet agreed that light motor vehicles would pay R0.40 per km, medium vehicles R1 per km, “longer” vehicles R2 per km, and bikers R0.24 per km.
Rikhotso said Ndebele would request the incoming board of directors of Sanral to prioritise the resolution of the financing model regarding the cost of GFIP phase one, amounting to R20-billion. — Sapa