/ 7 January 2014

Sanral claims almost a million e-tags sold

The controversial e-tolls system was launched on December 3 last year.
The controversial e-tolls system was launched on December 3 last year.

At least 963 420 e-tags have been issued to road users in Gauteng since e-tolling started at the beginning of December, the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said on Tuesday.

"To date, 963 420 tags have already been taken up and we are fast approaching the one-million mark," said Sanral spokesperson Vusi Mona.

"This means that there has been an increase of over 300 000 tags taken up since e-tolls commenced on December 3," he said in a statement.

Mona said 890 388 e-tags had been issued by December 11, which indicated that 73 032 e-tags had been issued in the past three weeks.

In circulation
Transport Minister Dipuo Peters announced in December that 660 000 e-tags were in circulation when e-tolling started, Mona said.

"We thank those Gauteng motorists and businesses that are complying in spite of voices seeking to discourage them."

The increase in the uptake of e-tags was an indication that motorists were prepared to co-operate with Sanral, he said. "Motorists have realised the value of acquiring an e-tag. Of course, there are those who have chosen not to get an e-tag … It is their right to forgo the discounts and conveniences offered by this option.

"We would like to encourage all motorists to comply and pay their e-toll bills within the seven days grace period."

Those who paid within seven days would not get reminders about their overdue e-toll bills, he said. – Sapa