The skedonk alternative

16 January 2015 - 02:24 By Olebogeng Molatlhwa and Kingdom Mabuza
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ROADMAP: Gauteng Premier David Makhura released the report of his e-tolling assessment panel yesterday. The panel said low-income households should be completely exempted from paying for the e-tolls
ROADMAP: Gauteng Premier David Makhura released the report of his e-tolling assessment panel yesterday. The panel said low-income households should be completely exempted from paying for the e-tolls
Image: MOELETSI MABE

People who drive luxury cars in Gauteng might have to pay extra for cruising on the province's tolled freeways.

This is one of the recommendations tabled by a panel appointed by Premier David Makhura to look into the Gauteng's e-tolling system.

He said parts of the Gauteng e-tolling system must be reviewed.

According to the panel established by Makhura to review the likely effects of e-tolling, one of the options is "progressively increasing the fee for increased axle weight and luxury vehicles".

The panel also called for a "complete exemption for low-income vehicle owners based on presentation of reasonable evidence".

Gantries that control access to low-income areas, or that cannot be avoided by taking an alternative route, should be deactivated, the panel recommended.

It said the most "desirable would be to link the e-Natis vehicle ownership information to the [SA Revenue Service] database".

Makhura promise d more consultation with stakeholders before the end of next month.

He said the provincial government was working with the national government in assessing the panel's recommendations and their implications.

Makhura established the panel after an outcry by Gauteng motorists who said they were not adequately consulted.

The Gauteng premier was also pressured into acting by the dismal national election results for his party, the ANC, attributed at least in part to the decision by central government to enforce the tolling system.

The premier said the e-tolling project had benefited the economy and the people of the province in various ways.

Th e benefits included quality roads , shortened travelling times, improved fuel efficiency, reduced vehicle operating costs and more efficient logistics .

"Although there is general acceptance of the user-pay principle, and willingness to pay for current and future upgrading of the roads and other public transport infrastructure, in its current form the e-toll system is unaffordable and inequitable, and places a disproportionate burden on low- and middle-income households," he said.

Fierce opponents of the e-tolls, trade union federation Cosatu and the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance, were disappointed that the system was not to be scrapped.

Outa chairman Wayne Duvenage said: "The e-toll decision was a failure because there was no consultation."

Cosatu's Gauteng general secretary, Dumisani Dakile said: "We remain opposed to e-tolls in whatever form and we will call for their total removal".

Some of the proposals from the e-tolls panel

  • Hybrid funding option consisting of e-tolls and other sources;
  • Funding to favour low- and middle-income users;
  • Alternative funding must not leave low-income users worse off;
  • Reduced cap on e-tolls;
  • Increasing the cost of advertising along tolled routes and ring-fencing the income;
  • Ring-fencing a portion of any increase in motor vehicle licence fees;
  • Introducing a flat rate per tolling gantry;
  • Removing alternative tariffs; and
  • Implementing a payment plan for motorists in arrears on e-tolls.
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