E-toll articles

Govt welcomes court ruling on Gauteng e-toll [13 December 2012]

13-12-2012
Pretoria - Government has welcomed the ruling handed down by the North Gauteng High Court on the implementation of the Gauteng e-tolling system.

This comes after Judge Louis Vorster on Thursday dismissed an application by the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) to have the e-tolling system set aside as they claimed there had not been efficient public participation process by the SA National Road Agency Limited (Sanral). The North Gauteng High Court also ordered Outa to pay all legal costs.

In a statement, Spokesperson for the Deputy President, Thabo Masebe, said the judgment vindicates government's view that it had followed the due process and met all regulatory requirements in declaring portions of the Gauteng freeways as toll roads in 2007.

"Government calls on all parties to respect the decision of the court and together move forward in the implementation of the e-tolling system.

"The development of a country's roads infrastructure plays a critical role in establishing a thriving economy and sustaining growth through the efficient movement of goods and services," he said.

Meanwhile - Sanral also welcomed the ruling on Thursday, saying the judgment was in line with the Constitutional Court's ruling in September which effectively paved the way for e-tolling to commence.

Sanral says it has long held the view that proper steps were taken by the agency in the implementation of e-tolling and is gratified by the decision of the High Court.

"The ruling finally clears all questions surrounding the legality of e-tolling," Sanral said in a statement.

The Minister of Transport will make an announcement on the way forward soon, it said.

The Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) is being delivered within a broader context of improvements to integrated public transport and improvements to non-toll alternative routes.

Borrowing internationally and upfront and applying the user-pays principle allows Gauteng, South Africa's economic heartland, and the broader economy to enjoy the benefits today, when the country needs the growth and development.

Sanral remains strongly convinced that the user pay principle is the best funding mechanism to finance infrastructure development where it is required.

"The development of a country's road infrastructure plays a critical role in building its economy and sustaining its growth by facilitating the movement of goods and people across the country.

"We look forward to being able to demonstrate to motorists the benefits that e-roads will contribute to their trips and lives through the on-road services such as emergency, towing and rapid response vehicles and on-the-minute travel condition updates that will allow better travel decisions and ultimately save time," Sanral said.

Sanral and government have urged vehicle owners to register and obtain their e-tags as soon as possible to ensure that they qualify for the full discounts available.

Road users can register by visiting an e-toll outlet or any one of the e-toll Customer Service Centres located along the Gauteng e-road network.

Users can also conveniently register via Sanral's website (www.sanral.co.za) or by calling the toll free number 0800 SANRAL (726725).
 
Transport Bill heads to NCOP [5 March 2013]

05-3-2013
Cape Town – Members of Parliament in the National Assembly on Tuesday voted on and passed the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill, which will now be sent to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence.

If passed, the bill will make e-tolls and toll roads the preferable way to fund new highways, barring the outcome of a court case brought by the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) against the National Treasury. Outa was granted leave to appeal in January by the North Gauteng High Court.

In a debate on the bill in the National Assembly earlier, the Minister of Transport Ben Martins pointed out that the use of toll tariffs had to be balanced with alternative routes upgrades, continued investment in public transport and stepping up regularity environment to support enforcement.

Amid criticism from opposition members, Martins asked how the country could find a viable way to fund infrastructure development. “It is our responsibility as government to take proper decisions that might be unpopular at certain times,” he said.

The minister said public interactions that the government had held with various stakeholders had found the fuel-levy to be the most favoured option to fund the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, rather than e-tolls.

However, Martins said such an option – to use the fuel levy to fund the new freeways – would affect all those that buy fuel – not only Gauteng road users.

On top of this, trucks and heavy vehicles would pay the same as other vehicles even though they damage the roads more.

Thirdly, using the fuel levy would make it impossible to exempt certain kinds of users, such as those that utilise public transport or those vehicles for persons with disabilities.

During the debate, Martins said the SA National Road Agency Limited (Sanral) had issued bonds to fund the project, with costs now standing at R24 billion along with capitalised interest, leaving R3.4 billion that needs to be paid from toll revenue.

“The inability to collect revenue will damage the credit reputation of Sanral amongst investors and may price the bonds higher to cover the risk – this in turn would in turn have a negative impact on both Sanral and the government’s credit rating,” he said.

The Democratic Alliance’s Ian Ollis called for a referendum to be conducted next month by Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane on whether the public there want e-tolls.

Ollis said South Africa as a developing nation could not expect the public to afford tolls, which he calculated could cost up to R550 a month to Gauteng commuters.

He said there was plenty of time to conduct a referendum particularly as the Outa appeal is still pending.

Cope’s Pakiso Mbhele said he was also against the bill, while the IFP’s Koos van der Merwe said the bill would increase the costs for the taxpayers and businesses.

The Freedom Front Plus’s Anton Alberts warned that a massive civil disobedience campaign would get under way if e-tolls came into existence.

The ACDP’s Steve Swart questioned how the courts would deal with the expected non-compliance to e-tolls on an already overloaded courts system. – SAnews.gov.za
 
E-tolls to commence in two months [11 April 2013]

11-4-2013
Pretoria - The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) on Thursday said e-tolling in Gauteng will commence in the next two months.

Sanral’s head of communications, Vusi Mona, said the agency was awaiting the completion of the Parliamentary process, which is halfway done.

“As soon as the National Council of Provinces finalises the Transport and Related Matters Amendment Bill, the Bill will go back to the National Assembly for adoption.

“Transport Minister Ben Martins will then announce the tariffs, which will be followed by the necessary notice periods. That whole process will take about two months to complete. Thereafter e-tolling will start,” said Mona.

To date, there are approximately 600 000 e-tag registrations.

Sanral is urging Gauteng motorists to register for their e-tags so that they can qualify for discounts and also avoid the last minute rush.

Mona said there could be motorists who are hesitant to register because of the on-going litigation around the project.

“Some motorists may be erroneously waiting for the appeal application by Outa [Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance] before they can consider registering. But that appeal has nothing to do with whether e-tolling should go ahead or not.

“That question was settled by the Constitutional Court last year when it set aside the interdict that prevented SANRAL from implementing e-tolling,” explained Mona.

In December, government welcomed the ruling handed down by the North Gauteng High Court regarding the implementation of the e-tolls. The court dismissed Outa’s application to have the e-tolling system set aside, as they claimed there had not been efficient public participation process by Sanral.

On Thursday, SANRAL thanked motorists and corporates who have come forward to register.

Motorists can register through an e-toll customer service outlet located at a mall or along the Gauteng e-road, by phoning the e-toll call centre at 0800 SANRAL (726 725) or by visiting SANRAL’s website at www.sanral.co.za.

Meanwhile, the agency dismissed “as grossly misleading” allegations that it will implement the same Open Road Tolling system in Cape Town as it has in Gauteng.

“Firstly, whereas in Gauteng we went out to borrow money in order to build the road, with Cape Town we will be appointing a concessionaire on a Build, Operate and Transfer basis. This means the concessionaire will finance and maintain the road, returning it to the state in a specified condition at the end of the concession period,” Mona said.

There will be toll plazas along the N1 and N2, with an option for motorists to either pay manually or use a lane that will require them to slow down, enable an e-tag fitted in their car to be recognised by the technical equipment at the toll plaza, deduct the required tariff from a motorist’s e-toll account, lift the boom and allow the motorist to pass through without having to stop.

“This is what e-tolling really means – paying your toll fees electronically. To those who value their time, the technology providing this convenience will be welcomed,” Mona said.
 
No Open Road Tolling planned for Cape Town [11 April 2013]

11-4-2013
Pretoria - The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) has dismissed allegations that it will implement the same Open Road Tolling system in Cape Town as it has in Gauteng.

SANRAL has labelled the allegations as “grossly misleading”.

“Firstly, whereas in Gauteng we went out to borrow money in order to build the road, with Cape Town we will be appointing a concessionaire on a build, operate and transfer basis. This means the concessionaire will finance and maintain the road, returning it to the state in a specified condition after the concession period,” said SANRAL’s head of communications Vusi Mona in a statement on Thursday.

“Secondly, there will be toll plazas along the N1 and N2, unlike in Gauteng, with an option for motorists to either pay manually or use a lane that will require them to slow down as they approach a toll booth, enable an e-tag fitted in their car to be recognised by the technical equipment at the toll plaza, deduct the required tariff from a motorist’s e-toll account, lift the boom and allow the motorist to pass through without having to stop. The payment takes place electronically. That is what e-tolling means – a method of paying your toll fees electronically.”

Mona said the system had been operating at the Bakwena Toll Plaza for the past 12 years, providing a convenience to those who value their time and do not want to stop at a toll gate.

The Gauteng e-tag system has been operating at Bakwena since the beginning of September last year, offering interoperability that is the first in the world.

“This means toll customers can pay for travel and related services across provinces with a single account. We are moving towards a one account system serviced by a transaction settlement system open to multiple toll operators. All our concessionaires are cooperating with us in this regard. If you are a Cape Town motorist driving in Gauteng or on any toll road, you will be able to use one account if you have opted in to use the e-tag system,” said Mona.

The confusion created around e-tolling was unfortunate, he said.

“At times it is unclear whether one is dealing with opposition to tolling as a principle or opposition to the method of collection. Tolling was first introduced in South Africa in 1984 and e-tolling is not a new phenomenon in the country. So, what people may be against is the tolling of urban roads.”

With the recent release of the Tom Tom Congestion Index that shows Johannesburg and Cape Town as the first and second most congested cities in South Africa, Mona said it was necessary to toll urban roads both as part of travel demand management and as a source of revenue for the financing of road infrastructure.

“SANRAL’s allocation from the fiscus is about R10 billion per annum and the N1/N2 Winelands Project requires just about that amount. We obviously can’t allocate our entire budget to national roads that pass through one city. The fiscus is under pressure and we have to find alternative ways of financing road infrastructure. Tolling is one option. The fuel levy is inflationary and not sustainable,” he said.

Meanwhile, SANRAL has confirmed that e-tolling in Gauteng is set to commence within the next two months. This follows discussions between SANRAL and government.

“What we are now waiting for is the completion of the Parliamentary process, half of which is already done. As soon as the National Council of Provinces finalizes the Transport and Related Matters Amendment Bill, the Bill will go back to the National Assembly for adoption.

“Transport Minister Ben Martins will then announce the tariffs which will be followed by the necessary notice periods. That whole process will take us about two months to complete. Thereafter e-tolling will start,” Mona said.

The agency has encourgaed Gauteng motorists to register for their e-tags so that they can qualify for discounts and also avoid the last minute rush.

Motorists can register through an e-toll customer service outlet located at a mall or along the Gauteng e-road, by phoning the e-toll call centre at 0800 SANRAL (726 725) or by visiting SANRAL’s website at www.sanral.co.za.

So far, there are approximately 600 000 e-tags registrations.

Mona said SANRAL was thankful to those citizens and corporates who had come forward to register. – SAnews.gov.za
 
GP e-toll system to cost motorists less than expected [12 April 2013]

12-4-2013
Pretoria - The implementation of the Gauteng e-tolling system in two months’ time will cost motorists travelling on the 185km of Gauteng's road network considerably less than is generally assumed.

South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) Head of Communications, Vusi Mona, said the cost to some 80 percent of road users will be less than R100 per month.

“We know this because we have tracked actual usage by 2.5 million vehicles on the Gauteng e-roads. Less than one percent of road users will pay the maximum of R550 per month. For more than 90 percent of motorists, the cost will be below R200,” he said.

However, motorists have to get an e-tag and register an e-toll account. Presently, there are about 600 000 e-tag registrations.

This week, SANRAL announced the Gauteng e-tolling system will commence in two months’ time.

The relevant legislation – the Transport and Related Matters Amendment Bill – is winding its way through the parliamentary process.

Once adopted, Transport Minister Ben Martins will formally announce the tariffs, followed by the necessary notice period. This should take about two months.

“Since the first consultation of stakeholders about the building of open toll roads in Gauteng, SANRAL and government have made a number of concessions to ensure motorists and businesses enjoy maximum savings,” Mona said.

He said these benefits include real savings in vehicle-operating costs as a result of better quality roads and easier driving conditions, reduced congestion and driving times, and lives saved because the roads are better and safer.

“It is important to SANRAL that all motorists who use the toll roads, get more than they pay for, through significant savings in fuel, vehicle-maintenance and time costs.

“The lower charges were achieved mainly by the increase of the debt repayment period, as well as a R5.7 billion contribution by the National Treasury.

“Tariffs have been substantially reduced. For example, the initial proposal for light motor vehicles, equipped with an e-tag, was 50c/km but is now only 30c per km - a 40 percent reduction.

“Trucks and heavy vehicles will pay only R1.50 per km, instead of the initially-proposed R2.97,” he said.

E-tagged motorcyclists will pay only 18c per kilometre. In addition, SANRAL has introduced a range of discounts of up to 30 percent, to encourage drivers to use the roads outside of peak-hours or on weekends.

How the tariffs have been reduced since the initial proposals:

E-tagged motorcycles: 30c/km to 18c/km
E-tagged light motor vehicles: 49,5c/km to 30c/km
E-tagged medium/heavy vehicles: R1.49/km to 75c/km
E-tagged large/heavy vehicles: R2.97/km to R1.50/km
There are also discounts for frequent toll road-users and provisions are in place to consider applications for exemptions.

“It is also well worth noting that the base tariff has reduced considering that tolling was supposed to commence in 2011 and increase annually with CPI.

“The Minister of Finance also announced the introduction of monthly tariff-caps, to further reduce the burden on motorists and, as such, motorcycles and light vehicles will pay a maximum of R550 per month,” Mona said. - SAnews.gov.za
 
E-toll credit evasion allegation unfounded - SANRAL

09-5-2013
Pretoria - The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) has described the accusations of having applied for an exemption from the National Credit Act (NCA), in relation to the Gauteng Freeway Development Project, as unfounded.

SANRAL spokesperson Vusi Mona said the agency did not qualify as a credit provider under the NCA.

“Accusations that the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has applied for an exemption from the NCA, in relation to the Gauteng Freeway Development Project, are false.

“It must be understood that the incidental credit accrued as part of the e-tolling system does not fit the definition of credit under the NCA,” said Mona.

A clause within the Transport and Related Matters Amendment Bill exempts SANRAL from the NCA and was drafted to clear up any possible confusion around SANRAL and the NCA.

Mona said the amendment to the bill was an attempt to clear up any legal ambiguity in terms of credit.

The reasons for the provision in the bill are that e-tolling is a prepaid process, but a seven-day grace period is given for payment. This is not a provision of credit.

“Under the legislation, a person who fails to pay e-tolls is committing an offence and has the opportunity to rectify it,” said Mona.

According to Mona, SANRAL was concerned by the latest attempt by the Opposition against Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA) and the SA National Consumer Union to discredit a perfectly legitimate enterprise through “disinformation”.

“SANRAL has followed all due process in terms of the e-tolling in Gauteng. This attempt by OUTA to take the legal battle which it initially lost and is subsequently on appeal to the public domain can only be described as spurious and irresponsible,” Mona said. - SAnews.gov.za
 
Sanral welcomes passing of transport amendment bill [23 May 2013]

23-5-2013
Pretoria - The South African National Road Agency Limited (Sanral) has welcomed the passing of the Transport and Related Matters Amendment Bill by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), which amends the Sanral Act.

This allows the Transport Minister Ben Martins to make regulations regarding e-tolling. Martins addressed the NCOP about the bill on Wednesday.

Sanral CEO Nazir Alli said: “We welcome the unemotional decision made by the NCOP yesterday. This bill enhances the legislative framework for the implementation of projects with electronic tolling, and will assist in improving the effectiveness of toll operations and enforcement.

“Users of Gauteng’s e-roads have already reaped the rewards of the improvements and will continue to do so. This system will benefit the economy and not hinder it.”

The bill has been necessitated by the development of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) as well as the future plans for the development of road infrastructure in the Republic.

Addressing the NCOP, Martins said traffic volumes on Gauteng freeways were increasing steadily, before improvements as a result of the e-toll project.

“Traffic volumes on the Gauteng freeways increased from 27 percent to 42 percent for different freeway sections, since 2006.

On the N1 between the Allandale interchange and Buccleuch interchange, morning peak hour traffic increased from 9 000 vehicles in 2008 to 13 000 vehicles in 2013,” he said.

An independent survey carried out by a company providing navigation services showed that the improvements have led to a 50 percent reduction in travel times on the N1 between Johannesburg and Tshwane in peak hours.

A study conducted by the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry showed that the loss to the economy due to congestion was in the order of R10 million per hour.

The electronic toll collection system, popularly known as e-toll, is a mechanism for the collection of tolls without disturbing the flow of traffic.

This system is already in use in the east of Pretoria on the Platinum toll highway and is programmed to also be implemented at other existing toll plazas.

Funding the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project through a user charge has enabled the upgrading of some 201 kilometres of roads that would otherwise have taken in excess of 12 years to fund with the concomitant loss of opportunity.

“Furthermore, it also ensures that funds for future maintenance and operations are available. Without this project, traffic in the province would have been in gridlock by now,” said Minister Martins. - SAnews.gov.za
 
Draft e-toll regulations out for public comment [26 May 2013]

26-5-2013
Pretoria – The Minister of Transport and the South African National Road Agency SOC Limited (Sanral) have published draft regulations and notices relating to the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) for public comment.

The regulations and notices were published in the Government Gazette on Friday 24 May 2013.

In a statement on Sunday, Sanral CEO Nazir Alli said the public was invited to comment on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) within a 30-day period.

This comes just days after the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) approved the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill.

Alli said on Sunday that the published regulations detailed how the tolling process would work, and include e-road regulations, e-road specification regulations, regulations on exemption from payment of GFIP tolls, the Amendment to the National Road Traffic Regulations, the conditions of e-toll payments of GFIP and the exemptions of payments of tolls for GFIP for qualifying public transport services and emergency vehicles.

“With the publication of the notices and regulations as well as the National Council of Provinces decision this week, we are starting to implement the final steps before e-tolling begins. We encourage those who have not yet registered for their e-tags to do so now.

“There are a few steps left in this process but the implementation of the e-toll system is well on its way. Sanral believes that tolling is a sustainable way of paying for the upgrade of the Gauteng freeway system. It is a tool that is used selectively to meet the challenges of a constrained fiscus and maintaining the road infrastructure,” he said.

Alli said the public had 30 days to comment on the draft Bill, and that once that period lapses, and after President Jacob Zuma signs the Bill into law, e-tolling would commence.

Alli said Sanral was ready to implement e-tolling, and that all due process were followed. He said once all the legislative requirements have been met, e-tolling would commence. – SAnews.gov.za
 
SANRAL's tolling project scoops international award [4 June 2013]

04-6-2013
Pretoria - The South African National Road Agency Limited (SANRAL) has received international recognition after winning a technology award for its Open Road Tolling Project, commonly known as the e-tolling system.

The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) announced SANRAL the winner of the 2013 Toll Excellence Award for Technology, one of the four sections that members from 26 countries vied for.

The agency’s CEO, Nazir Alli, said the award underlined the excellence of the work the agency was doing on the national roads of South Africa, in particular the inter-operability of the e-toll system on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project.

Announcing the winner, Executive Director and CEO of IBTTA, Patrick Jones, said this year’s submissions were particularly innovative.

“There were many great examples of operations, technology, customer service and social responsibility, which made it difficult for our judges to select among all the entries.

“The awards also play an important role in highlighting new ideas and emerging practices throughout the international tolling industry,” he said.

The other three categories in the awards are Customer Service, Operations and Social Responsibility. In the Customer Service category, State Road and Tollway Authority - I -85 Express Lanes – Atlanta, Georgia took the prize, while Operations went to Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) - Disaster Recovery (Pikepass Customer Service Center Destruction and Rebuild).

The E-470 Public Highway Authority, the Solar Powered Toll Road, Colorado, won the Social Responsibility award.

The winners will receive their awards on Monday, September 23 during IBTTA’s Annual Meeting and Exhibition in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

During the awards ceremony, one winner will be selected to receive the prestigious President’s Award for Excellence. - SAnews.gov.za
 
Tolling boosts economic growth, business – SANRAL [9 June 2013]

09-6-2013
Pretoria – The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) says tolling makes transport easier, boosts economic growth and individual businesses and also makes travelling much more pleasant for private citizens.

It also says tolling relieves government of the burden of direct funding and that tolling is necessary on some roads.

“The very first and direct advantage of tolling, or even better, the open-road tolling system where traffic flows and does not have to stop for tolling, is that only people and businesses pay for the road that actually use it.

“The other is that road improvement projects will be implemented more rapidly than would otherwise be the case - waiting for the fiscus to fund when there are so many needs other than roads, might take too long. [This] is based on a 2010 study by the Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town” says SANRAL Communications Manager Vusi Mona.

The study did state that exceptions would be necessary for public transport and frequent users, for example. And that has been done.

“International research experience suggests that in addition to normal accessibility improvements, businesses in a growing economy like Gauteng would benefit from increased efficiency in their labour markets. This may add 30 to 50 percent extra to conventionally assessed benefits,” says the study.

Almost a quarter of South Africa’s people live in Gauteng and it is vital that this economic heart of the country and thus of the continent, grows said the study.

The improved roads do just that, says the UCT report: there will be additional growth and “as a result there would be substantial job and business creation impacts over and above those associated with the construction contracts themselves”.

At a time when economies globally are faltering and South Africa is no exception, every bit of extra advantage for businessmen is a matter of great importance. So it is with the improvement of the inner-Gauteng highways.

Another way of looking at this is to consider what the situation would have been had the roads not been upgraded and their management streamlined, it said.

The UCT report says that the Gauteng freeway network was based on sound economic principles and it will return to society a positive net present value of R210 billion over the next 20 years.

Most important is that for each rand of cost, initial capital works, ongoing maintenance and costs, society benefits by R8.40. – SAnews.gov.za
 
SANRAL would cooperate in independent probe [24 June 2013]

24-6-2013
Pretoria - Calls for an independent probe into the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) are not new, says the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) on Monday.

Responding to comments made by Cosatu national spokesperson, Patrick Craven, on Monday morning, Sanral spokesperson, Vusi Mona, said the roads agency had co-operated with requests to investigate GFIP in the past and will do so in future. He said SANRAL had nothing to hide.

“Sanral is also on record as having said we would welcome any investigation by any competent authority into the project. After allegations were made about alleged irregularities, SANRAL invited the Public Protector to probe the procurement process that was followed in this project.

“The Public Protector announced in May last year that her office will conduct a preliminary investigation into complaints about the alleged tender irregularities. We await the outcome of that investigation," Mona said.

He said SANRAL had throughout the entire process been transparent in all its dealing with regards to GFIP. “Our dealings with Cosatu have been no different. In fact we have provided them with documents related to the project.”

Mona said in his Constitutional Court ruling handed down in September 2012, Deputy Chief Justice Moseneke effectively ruled that the project could only be stopped if there was "proof of unlawfulness” or “fraud or corruption".

"Our understanding of that judgement is that the ConCourt was asking for more than just smoke and allegations. To date, no one, not even the parties we are facing in court, have produced any evidence of unlawfulness, fraud or corruption," Mona said.

He said Cosatu was welcome to call for an independent probe.

“We think its latest call is better than the public posturing and questioning of SANRAL's integrity on the basis of no evidence," Mona said. – SAnews.gov.za
 
Govt to oppose new e-toll challenge [13 June 2013]

13-6-2013
Pretoria - Government would oppose the Opposition to Urban Tolling Association’s (OUTA) latest move to halt e-tolling in Gauteng.

OUTA has raised more than R2 million towards its court challenge to e-tolling on Gauteng's highways.

“OUTA has a right, like any other citizens to go to court and engage any decisions of the government but we will challenge this because we believe we are right,” Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane told reporters in Cape Town on Thursday. He was speaking after this week’s Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.

In December, the North Gauteng High Court dismissed OUTA's application to scrap e-tolling.

The court granted Outa leave on January 25 to take the matter to the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. The appeal is expected to be heard on September 25 and 26.

“Cabinet encourages motorists in Gauteng to register for e-tags and to view this project as part of the country’s drive to build public infrastructure,” Chabane said.

Last week, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe met with religious leaders to discuss their concerns that the e-tolling system will impact on the poor and that government was insensitive to the needs of the poor.

Chabane said: “Cabinet re-iterates that government has exempted registered public transport from the toll tariffs on the Gauteng toll roads. Also, to address the concerns of the other motorist, government has reduced the tariffs and introduced new capped amounts for all categories of vehicles”.

The Transport and Related Matters Amendment Bill has been passed by the National Council of Provinces. The Bill amends the SA National Roads Agency Act, and, once signed into law by President Zuma, will allow Transport Minister to make regulations regarding e-tolling. – SAnews.gov.za
 
SANRAL clarifies reports of financial difficulty [25 July 2013]

25-7-2013
Pretoria – The South African National Roads Agency Limited says that reports that it has run out of money are factually incorrect.

Sanral's head of communications, Vusi Mona, said in a statement on Thursday that Sanral operates two portfolios - toll roads and non-toll roads.

“The non-toll portfolio consists of funds from the national fiscus, received from National Treasury, to the amount of approximately R10 billion per annum. These funds are used by Sanral to manage its non-toll network, which accounts for 84% (16 584 km) of the total national road network of 19 704 km,” Mona said.

He said there were no funding challenges with the agency's non-toll portfolio. “These funds are used for non-toll roads only and the agency continues to run its business as per usual with the funds received from the national fiscus.”

The second portfolio accounts for 16% of the total road network, and constitutes of agency tolls (1 832 km) and those run by concessionaires (1 288 km). The agency tolls are financed through the capital markets by issuing bonds and the ones operated by the concessionaires are financed through private sector capital on a build, operate and transfer basis.

Mona said it was important to note that there was no cross-subsidisation of funds between the toll portfolio and the non-toll portfolio.

With regards to its toll portfolio, Sanral has almost totally depleted its available cash. Sanral is not able to fund itself through the capital markets under the present circumstances. It is for this reason that the agency has not been to the markets since October 2011.

“Notwithstanding our challenges on the capital markets we are grateful for the assistance from the commercial markets,” Mona said.

That has meant that the future growth of road networks could not be undertaken without Sanral's ability to raise third party funding. Parliament had to make a special appropriation of an additional R5.7 billion to meet Sanral’s current interest and cost liabilities.

“If Sanral is to deliver on its mandate, it is vital that e-tolling must go-ahead. It is disingenuous of OUTA [Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance] to blame the agency of trying to use the toll portfolio's financial challenges to force the President's hand to sign the Transport and Related Matters Amendment Bill. Sanral implements government policy," Mona said.

“At this stage, Sanral is awaiting the signing of the Bill by the President. Thereafter, the Minister [of Transport] may conclude the process to publish the final regulations and notices. Once published, tolls will commence within 14 days of the date of publishing,” said Mona. - SAnews.gov.za
 
Sanral clarifies e-toll payments [4 August 2013]

04-8-2013
Pretoria - Only a fraction of road users of the Gauteng Road Improvement Project (GFIP) will pay the maximum monthly cost of using the road, which is capped at R450 for those who have registered for e-tags.

South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) Head of Communications, Vusi Mona, said e-tolling will not cost motorists a fortune, as the vast majority of motorists (82.83%) will only pay R100 a month.

He said Sanral used actual data from its toll collection system to calculate these figures, adding that the initial calculations were done over a two-month period.

Mona said the system has been live for 12 months and these conclusions were confirmed to be accurate over the longer period too.

“Of the 2.5 million vehicles checked in this manner, only 4 700 will pay the capped R450 a month… If you are one of those paying the maximum amount, you will have travelled through 301 gantries and done an average of 2 760 km during the month on the e-tolled roads.

“That is, of course, if you are fitted with an e-tag and have an up-to-date registered account. If not, it will cost almost double,” he said.

Sanral’s plate recognition has shown what motorists will pay monthly:

82.83 percent will pay less than a R100
10.10 percent will pay R101 - R200
1.82 percent will pay R201 – R300
0.59 percent will pay R300 - R450
“Public transport operators can apply for exemption. Visitors from outside Gauteng will have to pay tolls. Duplicate or cloned number plates will be picked by the e-toll system because an e-tag is registered to one number plate only. We want to continue urging motorists to register,” Mona said. - SAnews.gov.za
 
E-tolls will have minimal impact on food prices [27 August 2013]

27-8-2013
Pretoria – The South Africa National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) has established through independent research that e-tolls will have a minimal effect on the price of food, goods and services.

An economic analysis done by the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business has revealed that the impact of e-tolls on the price of food and goods will be between 0.12% and 0.77%.

“There is a general assumption that e-tolls, when they are implemented, will lead to more expensive food, hitting the poor in particular. But that view is not based on any shred of evidence or any research. It is a mischievous argument intended to mislead the public,” Vusi Mona, the General Manager of Communications at SANRAL, said in a statement on Tuesday.

The UCT study makes the observation that the immediate discernible benefits and obvious savings from e-tolling would be for fuel, time and possibly accident costs.

SANRAL explained that the study looked at two issues relating to society’s ability to carry the cost of a major project such as the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), namely; comparing the share of total revenue to the size of the Gauteng economy, as well as comparing the share of tolling relative to people’s disposable income.

The study reads: “Taking a wider view and to put the matter into perspective, the toll revenue from the GFIP would have been the equivalent of 0.34% of the expected Gauteng GDP in 2011 and for light vehicles 43c for each R100 of disposable income.”

Mona said it was unfortunate that misleading statements continue to be made by public figures, organisations and analysts about the consequences of e-tolling without any backing of research or evidence.

“Rather, statements are simply made on the basis of commentators disliking e-tolling in principle, as a government policy,” he added.

He said the roads agency has rolled out a communications campaign to dispel several myths around e-tolling. – SAnews.gov.za
 
No link between court case and transport bill [27 September 2013]

27-9-2013
Pretoria - The Presidency has reiterated that there is no link between the e-toll court case this week and the signing of the Transport and Related Matters Amendment Bill.

It has refuted reports that President Jacob Zuma signed the bill into law on Wednesday, 25 September 2013 -- the day the matter was before the Supreme Court of Appeal.

“The reports are untrue. The President signed the bill into law on Saturday, 21 September before departing for the United States of America to attend the 68th United Nations General Assembly session,” read a statement from the high office.

The bill may trigger the start of the much-delayed electronic road toll project in Gauteng.

The Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) took its fight against the system to the Supreme Court of Appeal.

The Presidency announced on Thursday that the bill had been published in the Government Gazette (Gazette No. 36878 Notice No. 716) of 26 September 2013.

Meanwhile, The Department of Transport has welcomed the enactment of the bill by the President.

“This positive development provides the necessary legal framework and paves the way for the implementation of the electronic tolling system on selected highways in Gauteng, covering at least 200 kilometres of road network,” the department said.

The Minister of Transport will now attend to the remaining procedural matters related to the implementation process.

These include the publication of final regulations, notices and toll tariffs, and the determination of the date of commencement.

The minister is required by law to publish her final determination on regulations, notices and toll tariffs at least 30 days before the commencement of tolling.

The department said it would make an announcement regarding the timeframes of the processes, including the commencement date of tolling once all these final processes have been concluded.

“SANRAL has been ready for some time to implement the project and the system has been running on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) network minus the collection process for two years now, and has been working fully, including collection, on the Bakwena toll road network.”

Consultation processes were held with stakeholders including trade union federation Cosatu, Outa, religious formations and the Road Freight Association, among others.

“We wish to further reaffirm Cabinet's decision that public transport, (buses and mini-bus taxis) would be granted an exemption from paying tolls, relieving the poor from making this contribution to road infrastructure development.”

At least 82% of motorists who travel regularly on the tolled road network will not pay more than R100 monthly, with a cap of R450 for frequent travellers.

The department urged motorists to register and get tagged in order for them to access discounts only applicable to tag holders. – SAnews.gov.za
 
Zuma signs e-tolls bill [25 September 2013]

25-9-2013
Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma has signed the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill into law which provides for the collection of tolls on Gauteng’s roads, among other things.

The bill was necessitated by the development of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) as well as future plans for the development of the country’s roads infrastructure. The bill will give effect to the appropriate implementation of electronic toll collection.

A statement released by the Presidency on Wednesday, said the Act will facilitate the upgrading and development of the transport infrastructure and public transport in the Republic.

“In effect the Act will provide more effectively for the collection of toll; to amend the Cross-Border Road Transport Act, 1998 (Act No. 4 of 1998), to empower the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency to collect toll on behalf of SANRAL...,” said the Presidency.

Last month, SANRAL said only a fraction of road users of the GFIP will pay the maximum monthly cost of using the road, which is capped at R450 for those who have registered for e-tags.

It said e-tolling will not cost motorists a fortune, as the vast majority of motorists (82.83%) will only pay R100 a month.

Sanral said it had used actual data from its toll collection system to calculate these figures, adding that the initial calculations were done over a two-month period. - SAnews.gov.za
 
Calls for Gauteng road users to register for e-tolls [1 October 2013]

01-10-2013
Pretoria - Transport Minister Dipuo Peters has called on Gauteng road users to register for the e-tolling system and get their e-tags, ahead of the implementation of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Programme (GFIP), which could be less than a month away.

“I am appealing to South Africans, in particular in Gauteng, who have vehicles running on the road to register. It’s better for you to get your tag in time before the rush, now that it is signed into law,” Peters said on Tuesday.

She was speaking at the launch of Transport Month, which is being held under the theme, ‘Celebrating 20 years of delivering efficient, reliable and safe transport services.”

Last week, President Jacob Zuma signed into law the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill -- which paves the way for the implementation of the e-tolling system.

A statement released by the Presidency said the Act will facilitate the upgrading and development of the transport infrastructure and public transport in the Republic.

“In effect, the Act will provide more effectively for the collection of toll; to amend the Cross-Border Road Transport Act, 1998 (Act No. 4 of 1998), to empower the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency to collect toll on behalf of SANRAL...” said the Presidency.

Peters said she was now attending to the remaining procedural matters related to the implementation process.

These include the publication of final regulations, notices and toll tariffs, and the determination of the date of commencement.

Peters said she has signed the regulations, which were now submitted to President Zuma.

“When he is ready -- as you know he is out of the country -- he will sign them and we shall then make the necessary announcement date. However, I believe we need less than a month … (to) start implementing.

SANRAL says only a fraction of road users of the GFIP will pay the maximum monthly cost of using the road, which is capped at R450 for those who have registered for e-tags.

The agency says e-tolling will not cost motorists a fortune, as the vast majority of motorists (82.83%) will only pay R100 a month.

Sanral says it has used actual data from its toll collection system to calculate these figures, adding that the initial calculations were done over a two-month period. - SAnews.gov.za
 
GP motorists urged to get tagged [8 October 2013]

08-10-2013
Pretoria - The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has urged motorists in Gauteng to obtain their e-tags ahead of the introduction of e-tolling on the province’s national road network.

This comes after Transport Minister Dipuo Peters announced plans by her department to publish the tariffs for e-tolls soon, and that tolling would commence before the end of this year.

Sanral spokesperson Vusi Mona said government had shown commitment to tolling as part of its transport policy and it was now the turn of law-abiding motorists to do the same.

“Getting an e-tag fitted in your vehicle will also ensure that you receive the built-in discounts (up to 48 percent) when using the e-roads. To avoid a last-minute rush of motorists getting e-tags ahead of toll commencement, we are encouraging motorists to register and obtain their e-tags,” Mona said.

He said there were already individual motorists and fleet operators who had registered. "Getting registered and obtaining an e-tag is easy and now only a few clicks, a call or steps away."

This can be done by visiting participating Checkers, CNA, Pick ‘n Pay, Shoprite and Spar stores or one can register online at www.sanral.co.za. Also, registration can take place by phone call to 0800 SANRAL (726 725), a fax to 0800 SANRAL (726 725), or by visiting one of SANRAL’s customer service outlets at malls, as well as along the Gauteng e-roads or the mobile registration point across Gauteng.

While the e-tag can be obtained at a cost of R49.95, the R49.95 is credited to the e-toll account holder’s account, once registered, which makes the e-tag effectively free.

The e-tag serves as an electronic transponder and must be fitted on the windscreen of the vehicle. When the vehicle passes beneath one of the overhead gantries on the toll highway the e-tag is recognised and a transaction is automatically recorded. Open road tolling means that there will be no toll plazas on the road which slow down traffic or result in long queues.

“An e-tag has the benefit of being linked to a specific vehicle number plate, which means that vehicles with duplicate or cloned number plates will be easily identified. This is but one of the benefits of the technology we are using.

“The days of licence number plate duplication are numbered. The technology also allows us to see the flow of traffic on the e-roads from a control centre and to respond to incidents on the highway speedily," Mona said.

“It is important to remember that the payment of toll is required by law. The gantries will pick up the license plate number of those vehicles without e-tags and bills will be sent to their owners.”

There are a number of payment options available to registered account holders. An account holder can make payments online, through the e-toll website or their bank, or through cash, credit card or debit card transactions at SANRAL customer service outlets.

The account holder can also choose from automatic processes, by setting up a debit order that will top up the e-toll account automatically when a minimum balance has been reached or by simply linking the e-toll account to a credit card, whereby e-toll transactions are rolled up daily and deducted from the credit card, once a day.

"Tolling has ensured the construction of a world-class road network which forms the backbone of the Gauteng economy. The benefits of this road are there for all to see. As sensible citizens, our role is now to contribute to the repayment of the debt we raised to build the road and to ensure that the road is properly maintained through our toll fees," said Mona. – SAnews.gov.za
 
E-tolls to go live before year-end [7 October 2013]

07-10-2013
By Nthambeleni Gabara
Midrand - The implementation of the electronic tolling (e-tolling) system on Gauteng’s upgraded freeways will go live before the end of the year, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters confirmed at the SABC/New Age business briefing on Monday.

Peters said following the signing into law of the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill by President Jacob Zuma, her department would this week start the process of publicising the tariff structure. It would then be open for public comment for a 30-day period.

“After the 30-day period, I think it will take us about seven to 14 days to get the ball rolling. Yes, I will say [that the Gauteng e-tolling system will be operational].

“The objective of the e-tolling system is to decongest our road networks and I would like to say, they have done a good job.

“We’ve also created alternative routes to ensure that those who are unable to get to the freeway, or those who don’t want to use or pay [on] the freeway, they can use those alternative routes,” Peters said.

E-toll billboards

With regard to the controversial billboards erected on Johannesburg’s N3 and N1 highways, with the message ‘E-tolls. Proudly brought to you by the ANC’, Peters said: “Those are cowards and people who don’t have the decency to actually acknowledge what the African National congress (ANC) led government has delivered in this country.

“They want to focus on one aspect and turn an important infrastructure of the economic hub of South Africa, like the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), into a gimmick...”

Registering for e-tags

SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) CEO Nazir Alli said a lot of commentators on the e-tolls did not look at the benefits of GFIP, but rather focused on the cons of the project.

“We’ve noticed that since the President signed the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill into law [last week], we are starting to see an increase in the number of people who are buying e-tags.

“South Africans are generally law abiding citizens. They … will get e-tags and the sales will increase. I’ve not yet checked the recent figures, but already two and half million vehicles are registered on the system,” he said.

According to Alli, 83 percent of those people will be paying no more than R100 a month.

“These are facts, not the numbers we’ve been hearing about where people have been exaggerating … that motorists will be paying R1 000 or R1 500 a month. I want to assure you - nobody will be paying such an amount.

“Eighty-three percent of the two and half million [people] we’ve measured will be paying no more than R100 a month. That is the side of the coin that we should be looking at as well,” he said.

The maximum monthly cost of using the road network is capped at R450 for those who have registered for e-tags.

The Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Act will facilitate the upgrading and development of transport infrastructure and public transport in the Republic.

A statement released by the Presidency says: “the Act will provide more effectively for the collection of toll [and] to amend the Cross-Border Road Transport Act, 1998 (Act No. 4 of 1998), empowering the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency to collect toll on behalf of Sanral". - SAnews.gov.za
 
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