])ragon_\/oid
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Oh oh, think I ight try and skip the highways tomorrow!
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[May 2013..Dec 2013] The Gauteng E-tolling Thread
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eltherza
Expert Member
This part is salt to the wounds. They push this moral of "USER PAYS", but then in the same breath says that some users don't need to pay.
Looking at the price they are asking is insane. The rate for none registered users is jaw dropping. How can traveling 5KM on that N1 be more expensive than driving a good 300KM on the N3 route (and admirably that N3 road to Durban is mostly well maintained)
This is such a money grab if I've ever seen it.
bekdik
Honorary Master
Is the anc calling for submissions in order to say that they called for submissions? It's not like they are going to listen to the public, they are going to ignore anything that doesn't conform with what they are going to do.
TelkomUseless
Honorary Master
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Don't worry.. it pisses me off that only certain people will pay. But I can see why they do it.. they are scared of the masses/taxis etc. And that is how they try to sell it to them (by saying they won't pay)
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
Drive Slow Underway
More than 20 cars were taking part in the "drive slow" protest on the N3 freeway in Johannesburg on Friday.
The protest action organised by the Congress of SA Trade Unions is against e-tolling on Gauteng's freeways.
Cars displayed black and red posters proclaiming "Don't buy e-tags", and "Tolling Gauteng Highway must be scrapped".
The cars were all driving in one lane and were being escorted by Ekurhuleni metro police and SA Police Service vehicles.
A SAPS nyala was leading the procession.
Cosatu Gauteng provincial secretary Dumisani Dakile said about 30 cars had arrived at the Katlehong assembly point and more were expected to join the procession along the way.
"We are happy with the turnout."
He said ground rules had been laid and everyone would behave accordingly.
Source : Sapa /mr/tk/jk
Date : 31 May 2013 10:18
More than 20 cars were taking part in the "drive slow" protest on the N3 freeway in Johannesburg on Friday.
The protest action organised by the Congress of SA Trade Unions is against e-tolling on Gauteng's freeways.
Cars displayed black and red posters proclaiming "Don't buy e-tags", and "Tolling Gauteng Highway must be scrapped".
The cars were all driving in one lane and were being escorted by Ekurhuleni metro police and SA Police Service vehicles.
A SAPS nyala was leading the procession.
Cosatu Gauteng provincial secretary Dumisani Dakile said about 30 cars had arrived at the Katlehong assembly point and more were expected to join the procession along the way.
"We are happy with the turnout."
He said ground rules had been laid and everyone would behave accordingly.
Source : Sapa /mr/tk/jk
Date : 31 May 2013 10:18
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
Suspend E-tolling: OUTA
Government must suspend e-tolling if it wants to support economic growth, the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance said on Friday.
Outa chairman Wayne Duvenage said the organisation supported President Jacob Zuma's call for South Africans to promote activities that enhanced economic performance.
However, Zuma should suspend e-tolling, Duvenage said.
"Outa supports the president's request and calls on the president to lead this effort by having the government steer clear of an unnecessary waste of billions of rands through... implementation of the e-tolls system," he said.
Recent reports in Parliament had highlighted the lack of consideration of the fuel levy as an alternative funding mechanism for the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project.
On Thursday, Zuma said South Africa had to strengthen economic performance and increase the rate of investment.
"We must all promote our country and promote activities that enhance economic growth in every possible way," he said.
A week ago, the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court dismissed an application by the Congress of SA Trade Unions for a highway motorcade protest against e-tolling.
Cosatu approached the court after failing to get permission from the Johannesburg metro police.
The motorcade was planned for the M1 north, N1 south, N12, and M2 north highways in Johannesburg.
On April 11, the SA National Roads Agency Ltd announced e-tolling would be rolled out within the next two months.
In April last year, the High Court in Pretoria granted Outa an interdict halting implementation of e-tolling pending a full judicial review.
Sanral and the National Treasury appealed the court order. In September, the Constitutional Court set aside the interim order. In December the High Court in Pretoria dismissed Outa's application to scrap e-tolling.
On January 25, the court granted Outa leave to take the matter to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in Bloemfontein. The SCA hearing will take place in September.
Source : Sapa /pd/tk/jk
Date : 31 May 2013 09:56
Government must suspend e-tolling if it wants to support economic growth, the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance said on Friday.
Outa chairman Wayne Duvenage said the organisation supported President Jacob Zuma's call for South Africans to promote activities that enhanced economic performance.
However, Zuma should suspend e-tolling, Duvenage said.
"Outa supports the president's request and calls on the president to lead this effort by having the government steer clear of an unnecessary waste of billions of rands through... implementation of the e-tolls system," he said.
Recent reports in Parliament had highlighted the lack of consideration of the fuel levy as an alternative funding mechanism for the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project.
On Thursday, Zuma said South Africa had to strengthen economic performance and increase the rate of investment.
"We must all promote our country and promote activities that enhance economic growth in every possible way," he said.
A week ago, the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court dismissed an application by the Congress of SA Trade Unions for a highway motorcade protest against e-tolling.
Cosatu approached the court after failing to get permission from the Johannesburg metro police.
The motorcade was planned for the M1 north, N1 south, N12, and M2 north highways in Johannesburg.
On April 11, the SA National Roads Agency Ltd announced e-tolling would be rolled out within the next two months.
In April last year, the High Court in Pretoria granted Outa an interdict halting implementation of e-tolling pending a full judicial review.
Sanral and the National Treasury appealed the court order. In September, the Constitutional Court set aside the interim order. In December the High Court in Pretoria dismissed Outa's application to scrap e-tolling.
On January 25, the court granted Outa leave to take the matter to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in Bloemfontein. The SCA hearing will take place in September.
Source : Sapa /pd/tk/jk
Date : 31 May 2013 09:56
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
Cosatu to return to the Freeways
Cosatu remains intent on protesting on Johannesburg freeways, the trade union federation's Gauteng secretary Dumisani Dakile said on Friday.
He said the High Court in Johannesburg had ruled it was unconstitutional not to be permitted to protest.
"We will go back to Johannesburg to protest on its freeways," he said.
The Johannesburg metro police and the SA Police Service had blocked the federation's earlier plans to protest a week ago.
Dakile was speaking during a drive-slow protest on East Rand freeways by the Congress of SA Trade Unions against the planned e-tolling of Gauteng's freeways.
The protest began with fewer than 30 cars in the morning. This number had risen to about 300 cars by noon, Dakile said.
Father Mike Deeb, co-ordinator of the justice and peace department of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, said the fight against e-tolls was growing.
"I think it started slow because permission came late last night, we had so much support on the roads," Deeb said.
"Even if there weren't (big) crowds, awareness is growing and courage to think that we can overcome (the fight against) e-tolls and tell the government that e-tolls must be thought over."
Source : Sapa /mr/hdw/dd/rod
Date : 31 May 2013 15:17
Cosatu remains intent on protesting on Johannesburg freeways, the trade union federation's Gauteng secretary Dumisani Dakile said on Friday.
He said the High Court in Johannesburg had ruled it was unconstitutional not to be permitted to protest.
"We will go back to Johannesburg to protest on its freeways," he said.
The Johannesburg metro police and the SA Police Service had blocked the federation's earlier plans to protest a week ago.
Dakile was speaking during a drive-slow protest on East Rand freeways by the Congress of SA Trade Unions against the planned e-tolling of Gauteng's freeways.
The protest began with fewer than 30 cars in the morning. This number had risen to about 300 cars by noon, Dakile said.
Father Mike Deeb, co-ordinator of the justice and peace department of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, said the fight against e-tolls was growing.
"I think it started slow because permission came late last night, we had so much support on the roads," Deeb said.
"Even if there weren't (big) crowds, awareness is growing and courage to think that we can overcome (the fight against) e-tolls and tell the government that e-tolls must be thought over."
Source : Sapa /mr/hdw/dd/rod
Date : 31 May 2013 15:17
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
SANRAL top of E-tolling Pops
The controversial e-tolling system has won an international award for technology, the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said on Tuesday.
"Sanral has just been announced as a winner of an international award for the excellence of its work," spokesman Vusi Mona said.
It was awarded the 2013 Toll Excellence Award by the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), even though e-tolling was not yet operating as anticipated on Gauteng highways.
The only system in place was the use of e-tags at the N1/N4 Bakwena toll plazas, which incorporated a manual tolling system.
Sanral CEO Nazir Alli welcomed the award, saying it "underlined the excellence of the work the agency is doing on the national roads of South Africa, in particular the inter-operability of the e-toll system on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP)".
The awards were based on nominations received from IBTTA's 26 member countries for the categories of technology, customer service, administration, operations and social responsibility.
Sanral nominated itself in the category, describing its e-tolling system as high-tech and a "world-first".
One of the entry requirements was that the project have at least 12 months of proven experience.
Implementation of the e-tolling system has been delayed by a lengthy court battle, led by the civil society group, Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa).
The High Court in Pretoria granted Outa leave to appeal its dismissal of the civil group's application to have e-tolling scrapped, and this will be heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein in September.
Sanral said it had nonetheless qualified for the award.
"The Open Road Toll (ORT) system has been running live for over a year, even though toll collection did not commence. Since September 2012, the system has been inter-operable with Bakwena, in other words, running live with electronic toll collection being carried at the Bakwena Toll plazas," Mona said.
He said the gantries were gathering data and could calculate how many people were using the roads.
"Everything that system is meant to do, it is doing. The only thing that is not happening is actual toll collection."
According to the entry form on its website, an independent panel of judges evaluated the projects on three criteria.
These are: the extent to which the project achieved its objectives and the "positive impact for the customer, the agency, and/or the community"; how relevant and applicable the project was to the tolling industry; and the extent to which the project represented "excellence and an extraordinary achievement" for the relevant toll agency.
Sanral was asked what positive impact the e-tolling system had had on the community since it was not fully in place.
"The project has eased traffic congestion on the Gauteng network," Mona said, referring specifically to the GFIP.
"Research by the TomTom Congestion Index shows the improved interchanges have relieved traffic congestion in Gauteng and decreased it in comparison to other regions in South Africa."
He said because e-tolling did not require vehicles to stop, it would ease motorists' frustration on the roads and reduce the danger of stopping in less safe areas.
Sanral warned motorists this week that they needed to get their e-tags and register for payment because e-tolling was "set to start in the near future".
The awards would be presented at IBTTA's annual meeting in Vancouver, Canada, on September 23.
Source : Sapa /je/hdw/jk/rod
Date : 04 Jun 2013 16:03
The controversial e-tolling system has won an international award for technology, the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said on Tuesday.
"Sanral has just been announced as a winner of an international award for the excellence of its work," spokesman Vusi Mona said.
It was awarded the 2013 Toll Excellence Award by the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), even though e-tolling was not yet operating as anticipated on Gauteng highways.
The only system in place was the use of e-tags at the N1/N4 Bakwena toll plazas, which incorporated a manual tolling system.
Sanral CEO Nazir Alli welcomed the award, saying it "underlined the excellence of the work the agency is doing on the national roads of South Africa, in particular the inter-operability of the e-toll system on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP)".
The awards were based on nominations received from IBTTA's 26 member countries for the categories of technology, customer service, administration, operations and social responsibility.
Sanral nominated itself in the category, describing its e-tolling system as high-tech and a "world-first".
One of the entry requirements was that the project have at least 12 months of proven experience.
Implementation of the e-tolling system has been delayed by a lengthy court battle, led by the civil society group, Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa).
The High Court in Pretoria granted Outa leave to appeal its dismissal of the civil group's application to have e-tolling scrapped, and this will be heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein in September.
Sanral said it had nonetheless qualified for the award.
"The Open Road Toll (ORT) system has been running live for over a year, even though toll collection did not commence. Since September 2012, the system has been inter-operable with Bakwena, in other words, running live with electronic toll collection being carried at the Bakwena Toll plazas," Mona said.
He said the gantries were gathering data and could calculate how many people were using the roads.
"Everything that system is meant to do, it is doing. The only thing that is not happening is actual toll collection."
According to the entry form on its website, an independent panel of judges evaluated the projects on three criteria.
These are: the extent to which the project achieved its objectives and the "positive impact for the customer, the agency, and/or the community"; how relevant and applicable the project was to the tolling industry; and the extent to which the project represented "excellence and an extraordinary achievement" for the relevant toll agency.
Sanral was asked what positive impact the e-tolling system had had on the community since it was not fully in place.
"The project has eased traffic congestion on the Gauteng network," Mona said, referring specifically to the GFIP.
"Research by the TomTom Congestion Index shows the improved interchanges have relieved traffic congestion in Gauteng and decreased it in comparison to other regions in South Africa."
He said because e-tolling did not require vehicles to stop, it would ease motorists' frustration on the roads and reduce the danger of stopping in less safe areas.
Sanral warned motorists this week that they needed to get their e-tags and register for payment because e-tolling was "set to start in the near future".
The awards would be presented at IBTTA's annual meeting in Vancouver, Canada, on September 23.
Source : Sapa /je/hdw/jk/rod
Date : 04 Jun 2013 16:03
TelkomUseless
Honorary Master
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2006
- Messages
- 16,570
- Reaction score
- 11,208
BWAAAAAA!!!!
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
Somebody needs to contact those guys and set the record straight.
OMB
Mountain Man
I'm amazed at the amount of spin and hot air that Vusi Moaner is able to generate...
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
Media briefing with the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) tomorrow 5 June in Joburg. They will make an important announcement regarding the future of their legal appeal against e-tolling in Gauteng. Working media please RSVP at 012 804 5199 or [email protected].
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
Outa will brief the media on Wednesday on the progress of its appeal against the implementation of e-tolling on Gauteng's highways.
The Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) said it would make an "important announcement" about the future of its legal appeal.
Outa has fought a lengthy court battle to prevent the implementation of e-tolling.
In April, the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said it would begin e-tolling on Gauteng roads within two months.
Last April, the High Court in Pretoria granted Outa an interdict approving a full judicial review before electronic tolling could be put into effect.
The interdict prevented Sanral from levying or collecting e-tolls pending the outcome of a review. Sanral and the National Treasury appealed the court order.
In September, the Constitutional Court set aside the interim order and in December, the High Court in Pretoria 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 in September.
Source : Sapa /aa/clh
Date : 05 Jun 2013 02:00
The Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) said it would make an "important announcement" about the future of its legal appeal.
Outa has fought a lengthy court battle to prevent the implementation of e-tolling.
In April, the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said it would begin e-tolling on Gauteng roads within two months.
Last April, the High Court in Pretoria granted Outa an interdict approving a full judicial review before electronic tolling could be put into effect.
The interdict prevented Sanral from levying or collecting e-tolls pending the outcome of a review. Sanral and the National Treasury appealed the court order.
In September, the Constitutional Court set aside the interim order and in December, the High Court in Pretoria 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 in September.
Source : Sapa /aa/clh
Date : 05 Jun 2013 02:00
Cius
Honorary Master
Just on the taxi issue. Taxi drivers also are upset about etolling as they primarily use alternate routes where customers can be picked up. Only long haul taxis ever use the highways and these are fewer in number than the one's traveling daily work routes. Hence the tolls are expected to drive a lot of commuters off the highways and onto their already congested routes. This is why taxi operators and drivers are actually currently against etolls as well as it negatively effects them in many ways.
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
R1M Shortfall jeopardises e-tolling Court Challenge
In April 2012, OUTA interdicted the introduction of eTolls and again in January 2013, won the right to have their case heard in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). These critical victories ensured that motorists around the country were saved from paying eTolls and more importantly, sets the scene for OUTA’s ultimate intention, to prevent the introduction of an irrational and inefficient collection scheme whose costs are almost as much as the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) itself.
More recently, the City of Cape Town won their court case against SANRAL, confirming that Tolling of our urban freeways is now a national issue and that SANRAL’s approach to this process requires greater transparency, better engagement with the public and more scrutiny of their research and facts. Indeed, few campaigns in our new democracy have rallied so many political, labour, religious, business and civil groups around the opposition to one singular issue.
OUTA continues to remind the authorities that no one is questioning the need for upgraded freeways or the fact that benefits are derived from reduced traffic congestion. Nor does OUTA suggest that society is opposed to paying for road upgrades. What remains at the heart of this issue is the lack of constitutional requirements for meaningful public participation and the irrationality of applying an extremely costly, burdensome and inefficient means of revenue collection through eTolling.
The eToll challenge also has a number of human rights issues, not least of all for people with mobility impairments who rely on the goodwill of family, friends, neighbours and their communities that assist them to move around or seek employment. Their situation and quality of life will be seriously compromised by eTolls and both Government and SANRAL have ignored this vulnerable minority group during the planning of the eToll scheme.
OUTA believes there is still time for the Government to rethink this plan and suspend eTolling, while the best possible solution with the lowest negative impact on road users is found. Amidst a climate of overwhelming public rejection and continuing legal action, SANRAL appears committed to launching eTolling, some two months before the court appeal. Despite SANRAL’s utterances that OUTA’s current legal action is of no consequence to them, should the Supreme Court rule in OUTA’s favour, their plans for eTolling could very well be halted.
http://www.outa.co.za/site/r1mil-shortfall-jeopardises-etoll-court-challenge/
In April 2012, OUTA interdicted the introduction of eTolls and again in January 2013, won the right to have their case heard in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). These critical victories ensured that motorists around the country were saved from paying eTolls and more importantly, sets the scene for OUTA’s ultimate intention, to prevent the introduction of an irrational and inefficient collection scheme whose costs are almost as much as the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) itself.
More recently, the City of Cape Town won their court case against SANRAL, confirming that Tolling of our urban freeways is now a national issue and that SANRAL’s approach to this process requires greater transparency, better engagement with the public and more scrutiny of their research and facts. Indeed, few campaigns in our new democracy have rallied so many political, labour, religious, business and civil groups around the opposition to one singular issue.
OUTA continues to remind the authorities that no one is questioning the need for upgraded freeways or the fact that benefits are derived from reduced traffic congestion. Nor does OUTA suggest that society is opposed to paying for road upgrades. What remains at the heart of this issue is the lack of constitutional requirements for meaningful public participation and the irrationality of applying an extremely costly, burdensome and inefficient means of revenue collection through eTolling.
The eToll challenge also has a number of human rights issues, not least of all for people with mobility impairments who rely on the goodwill of family, friends, neighbours and their communities that assist them to move around or seek employment. Their situation and quality of life will be seriously compromised by eTolls and both Government and SANRAL have ignored this vulnerable minority group during the planning of the eToll scheme.
OUTA believes there is still time for the Government to rethink this plan and suspend eTolling, while the best possible solution with the lowest negative impact on road users is found. Amidst a climate of overwhelming public rejection and continuing legal action, SANRAL appears committed to launching eTolling, some two months before the court appeal. Despite SANRAL’s utterances that OUTA’s current legal action is of no consequence to them, should the Supreme Court rule in OUTA’s favour, their plans for eTolling could very well be halted.
http://www.outa.co.za/site/r1mil-shortfall-jeopardises-etoll-court-challenge/
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
OUTA Feeling the Pinch, may have to drop the legal challenge
Outa might have to drop its court challenge to implementation of e-tolling on Gauteng's highways if it does not raise an extra R1 million in three weeks, chairman Wayne Duvenhage said on Wednesday.
"There is a very real chance if we do not get this money this matter will not be heard," Duvenhage said at a press conference to appeal for the money.
The Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) had until June 21 to raise the money.
It had so far raised R8.4 million through donations and still owed about R3m in legal fees. Without the R1m payment to advocates, the case could not go ahead.
The lawyers had donated much of their services, but still had some costs they could not cover themselves in what was a technical case, said Duvenhage.
Outa has led a court challenge to the introduction of e-tolling, funding it through donations.
In April, the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said it would begin e-tolling on Gauteng roads within two months.
Last April, the High Court in Pretoria granted Outa an interdict approving a full judicial review before electronic tolling could be implemented.
The interdict prevented Sanral from levying or collecting e-tolls pending the outcome of the review. Sanral and the National Treasury appealed the court order.
In September, the Constitutional Court set aside the interim order. In December, the High Court in Pretoria 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.
Source : Sapa /jje/jk/th
Date : 05 Jun 2013 13:23
Outa might have to drop its court challenge to implementation of e-tolling on Gauteng's highways if it does not raise an extra R1 million in three weeks, chairman Wayne Duvenhage said on Wednesday.
"There is a very real chance if we do not get this money this matter will not be heard," Duvenhage said at a press conference to appeal for the money.
The Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) had until June 21 to raise the money.
It had so far raised R8.4 million through donations and still owed about R3m in legal fees. Without the R1m payment to advocates, the case could not go ahead.
The lawyers had donated much of their services, but still had some costs they could not cover themselves in what was a technical case, said Duvenhage.
Outa has led a court challenge to the introduction of e-tolling, funding it through donations.
In April, the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said it would begin e-tolling on Gauteng roads within two months.
Last April, the High Court in Pretoria granted Outa an interdict approving a full judicial review before electronic tolling could be implemented.
The interdict prevented Sanral from levying or collecting e-tolls pending the outcome of the review. Sanral and the National Treasury appealed the court order.
In September, the Constitutional Court set aside the interim order. In December, the High Court in Pretoria 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.
Source : Sapa /jje/jk/th
Date : 05 Jun 2013 13:23
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
Reasons why the legal challenge should go ahead....
1) This is our chance to stick it to SANRAL, waste their time, give them the finger, even if the challenge is ultimately unsuccessful.
2) There is the outside chance, pretty remote, that the challenge might be successful, but better to have tried, than not tried.
3) OUTA is not to be sneezed at, they represent big players in the motor industry and the public.
4) I would rather send my money there than have paid tolls for all these months now, I have been giving OUTA R500 every month.
1) This is our chance to stick it to SANRAL, waste their time, give them the finger, even if the challenge is ultimately unsuccessful.
2) There is the outside chance, pretty remote, that the challenge might be successful, but better to have tried, than not tried.
3) OUTA is not to be sneezed at, they represent big players in the motor industry and the public.
4) I would rather send my money there than have paid tolls for all these months now, I have been giving OUTA R500 every month.
I've donated before but can't remember how....please refresh my memory!
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