E-Tolls failed: OUTA

LazyLion

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E-tolling Gauteng's highways has failed and the system falls short of its intentions, the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) said on Tuesday.

"This system is falling far short of its intentions and targets," Outa chairman Wayne Duvenage told public hearings in Midrand on the impact of e-tolls.

"We are not saying it will fail, we are saying it has failed."

The Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) was necessary, but things could have been done differently to ease congestion on the roads.

Duvenage said the system was not thoroughly researched.

E-tolling was launched in December and Duvenage said it was clear the public would continue to reject it.

In 2011, before Outa was established, its founding members raised concerns, including a lack of consultation and system efficiencies.

The fuel levy and taxes were a better option to pay for the GFIP than tolling.

"We have encountered a lot of misleading information from Sanral [SA National Roads Agency Limited]," he said.

In order to implement tolling, one needed to start with a high level of compliance, but in Gauteng there was much opposition to the system.

"Society is not accepting that this is the right system. Therefore we gave strong opposing mechanisms," said Duvenage.

The hearings are intended to examine the economic and social impact of the GFIP and the electronic tolling system set up to fund it. The panel is expected to present its findings to premier David Makhura at the end of November.


Source : Sapa /dm/jk/th
Date : 02 Sep 2014 10:33
 
E-TOLL OUTRAGE FAR-REACHING: OUTA

E-tolls in Gauteng have caused widespread outrage, the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) said on Tuesday.

"The outrage has been far-reaching, across all sectors of society and has galvanised a defiant citizens' tax-revolt, not yet experienced in our young democracy," chairman Wayne Duvenage said.

"Our socio-economy can't afford this."

Speaking at the public hearings in Midrand on the impact of e-tolls, Duvenage said the idea of tolling Gauteng was appealing.

"While the idea and technology of e-tolling for Gauteng was appealing, its execution has been left wanting for a myriad of reasons, many of which were predictable."

The vast majority of users would not pay, he said.

"For this reason alone we say it is not failing but it has failed. The authorities will be well advised to call off the flogging of this horse, which was never alive in the first place."

The SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has said not paying e-tolls is both a traffic and criminal offence and people would be prosecuted.

Duvenage said authorities could try and force people to submit and get e-tags but could never force people to co-operate.

He said enthusiasm for e-tolls was very low and compliance at required levels almost impossible to achieve.

Gauteng's e-toll plan was in trouble before it started because of poor research and because the public was ignored.

"Enforcement has serious unintended consequences this country can ill afford. We simply cannot return to being a police state.

"We believe the state cannot afford to be fighting with its citizens for years to come over R1.9 billion per annum."

Outa had various proposed solutions, including suspending electronic tolling.

The gantries did not have to be broken down and could be used to monitor traffic volumes and find stolen vehicles.

"Suspend e-tolling as soon as possible and invite stakeholders to engage, seeking solutions for a truly integrated urban transport."


Source : Sapa /dm/th/lp/jk
Date : 02 Sep 2014 12:17
 
still dont get why they pushing ahead no matter what with this nonsense, obviously nobodys paying,
using the tags and bills for firewood, driving the exact same roads as before,

is the goverment that much out of tune with what society is demanding?
somethings gotta give at some stage!

next will be a nice riot or every single taxi/commuter bus in JHB parking their vehicles on the N3
scumral cant tow away 1300 cars!

their isn't enough tow trucks/police/gangsters for that
 
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