The South African National Roads Agency's (Sanral's) controversial electronic tolling on Gauteng's highways is failing, because around 60% of users are not settling their accounts.
This low compliance rate was revealed yesterday in documents handed out to coincide with the release of the 2014 budget. Although government says collections are gaining traction, the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) says the low level of payments shows the system is failing.
E-tolling went live on 3 December last year, but has been marred by several "teething" problems, including lax security on Sanral's e-toll Web site and thousands of complaints around incorrect billing.
Sanral has had to explain the billing issues, which it says only affects 0.3% ? around 8 000 – people using its e-roads, and complaints have been lodged about invoice issues with the public protector.
Sanral has, so far, downplayed the problems with the system and has argued e-tolling is successful. However, it has failed to respond to specific queries around how many motorists are coughing up to drive on the tolled freeways.
Yesterday, the extent of non-compliance was finally revealed in the Department of Transport's budget vote, which was included in National Treasury's Estimates of National Expenditure.
