[May 2013..Dec 2013] The Gauteng E-tolling Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
 
This, thanks to Arthur:

Media clarification on Avis' stance on E-Tolls

Avis Rent a Car South Africa would like to clarify the media release of yesterday relating to e-Tolls. Avis supports both the much needed Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) upgrade and further planned improvements.

Unfortunately some media incorrectly reported that Avis, by supporting GFIP upgrades, also supports the implementation of eTolls as the funding mechanism. This view is incorrect. We believe that there are more effective and efficient funding mechanisms than the currently proposed e-Toll model.

The purpose of yesterday's media release was to inform our customers how Avis will charge and collect e-Tolls if and when implemented by SANRAL.
Click to expand...

http://www.avis.co.za/LatestNews/media-clarification-e-tolls.aspx

Sanral caught lying again...
 
E-toll outlets quiet on Wednesday

E-toll stores in malls across Gauteng were quiet on Wednesday ahead of the arrival of the controversial electronic tolling of the province's highways next week.

People who were interviewed expressed anger and confusion ahead of its implementation next Tuesday, after several failed attempts in court by civil society groups to have the system canned.

At the Menlyn Park shopping centre, at least 15 men were seen at the e-toll shop after midday.

Samuel Mosoane said that although he disagreed with e-tolling, he wanted an e-tag so that he did not get into trouble with the law.

He described e-tolling as "an unnecessary expense".

While the interview was being carried out, a security guard identified as Jan Skosana told the Sapa reporter to leave the premises if she did not have evidence of permission obtained to interview people at the mall.

She was asked by security to leave, and escorted out when she was found interviewing people, as were Sapa reporters visiting the e-toll retail outlets at Maponya mall in Soweto, and Bonaero Centre in Kempton Park,

Outside the shopping centre in Menlyn Park, Ouma Lerutla said the e-tolling system was unfair, but she would get an e-tag because she had no choice.

"If I don't get one, I will then be in trouble with them," she said.

Katlego Tibame said he would not get an e-tag unless he was caught by law enforcement officials.

"E-tolls are just an added expense for motorists. I think that the government should scrap it completely."

At the Cresta mall in Randburg, 10 people were queueing in the e-toll outlet before midday with some seeking clarity on the e-tags, and others buying them.

Amanda Hobbs from Stellenbosch said her family was travelling all over the country and heading to KwaZulu-Natal after their trip in Johannesburg.

"We need to know if we need an e-tag for this. We are here to get some information," she said.

Their adult daughter, Natalie Hobbs, said they were abiding by the law.

John Clarke from Johannesburg said: "I want to know what the alternative charges are for alternative users. If I refuse to pay as an alternate user, will I be prosecuted under the Sanral Act or Aarto?"

"Is it going to be enforced by the SA Police Service, the metro police or by Sanral?"

At a quiet Cedar Square shopping centre in Fourways, there were only four people inside the e-tag shop around 11.30am.

A shop assistant, who refused to be named, said he had a busy couple of days, but the process was running smoothly.

"It has been busy but it takes about eight to 10 minutes to register," he said. "We have had no glitches so far."

He said customers were from mixed age groups.

A customer, Janet Edmiston from Johannesburg, said: "I am not happy at all. I am forced to get an e-tag, else I would end up paying more."

She said she did not use the highways a lot, but from time to time it was necessary. She also felt it was unfair that only some people were granted exemptions.

At the San Ridge Square in Midrand, seven people were seen inside the shop before 1pm.

An employee, Daisy Tladi, said people were not coming in big numbers --with about 20 people registering a day.

A man, who did not want to be named, said he felt people were being cornered into buying e-tags. Another customer said she wanted to comply with the law.

At the Centurion mall, where five people were in line, one customer said he was avoiding a last-minute rush.

In the mall, Chrisna Botha, 32, said she would not register, and would simply avoid the tolled highways.

Amos Sejake, who works in Rivonia, said e-tolls put "holes in peoples' pockets".

At the Bonaero centre in Kempton Park, a 71-year-old pensioner, giving his first name as Sydney, said he did not earn a salary and did not have enough money for e-tolling.

"I feel with my age I should also... enjoy the same benefit [being exempted]. Therefore I will not be participating in the e-tolls.

"The money used to develop this ridiculous system could have been used to deliver services for poor people who are constantly protesting."

A shop assistant said most people preferred the pre-paid option.

In other big malls, like the East Rand mall, e-toll shops were busy and constantly had queues, she said.

At Maponya mall in Soweto, e-toll shop assistants refused to speak to the media.

Customer Tseliso Mohotsi said he was not happy with e-tolls but he would buy them to avoid penalties.

"I use the N1 and N14 daily, which means I'll be spending almost R480 per month and that's unfair," he said.

Gugu Cindi came to the outlet to find out more about the system as she still did not understand why she had to pay for it.

"I feel like the government doesn't have our interests at heart... why should I pay when I'm already paying tax?"

Cindi was unsure about whether to register.

Sasavona Baloyi said: "I will only support e-tolls if the government says it's a criminal offence not to have an e-tag."


Source : Sapa /mar/ge/lk/km/bm/hdw
Date : 27 Nov 2013 15:46
 
F You Avis!!!

As pointed out earlier you are merely opening up another revenue stream for yourselves.
Avis had installed e-tags in its national fleet and had developed the necessary IT systems to ensure that any e-toll fees incurred by its customers during the rental period would be included in their final invoice.

A final invoice would be available only two days after the vehicle was returned and would highlight the total e-toll amount, the company said.

"Avis will charge the standard e-toll tariff, per e-toll gantry, to a monthly maximum value of R450 as published in the Government Gazette," it said.

"The standard tariff, which is higher than the tariff paid by registered e-tag users, is being charged to enable Avis to recover the costs of implementing systems and resources to manage e-toll compliance."
Click to expand...

Your clients will pay the max rate while you pay a significantly discounted rate.

an 83% profit margin for Avis?????
 
Garyvdh said:
E-toll stores in malls across Gauteng were quiet on Wednesday ahead of the arrival of the controversial electronic tolling of the province's highways next week.

People who were interviewed expressed anger and confusion ahead of its implementation next Tuesday, after several failed attempts in court by civil society groups to have the system canned.

At the Menlyn Park shopping centre, at least 15 men were seen at the e-toll shop after midday.

Samuel Mosoane said that although he disagreed with e-tolling, he wanted an e-tag so that he did not get into trouble with the law.

He described e-tolling as "an unnecessary expense".

While the interview was being carried out, a security guard identified as Jan Skosana told the Sapa reporter to leave the premises if she did not have evidence of permission obtained to interview people at the mall.

She was asked by security to leave, and escorted out when she was found interviewing people, as were Sapa reporters visiting the e-toll retail outlets at Maponya mall in Soweto, and Bonaero Centre in Kempton Park,

Outside the shopping centre in Menlyn Park, Ouma Lerutla said the e-tolling system was unfair, but she would get an e-tag because she had no choice.

"If I don't get one, I will then be in trouble with them," she said.

Katlego Tibame said he would not get an e-tag unless he was caught by law enforcement officials.

"E-tolls are just an added expense for motorists. I think that the government should scrap it completely."

At the Cresta mall in Randburg, 10 people were queueing in the e-toll outlet before midday with some seeking clarity on the e-tags, and others buying them.

Amanda Hobbs from Stellenbosch said her family was travelling all over the country and heading to KwaZulu-Natal after their trip in Johannesburg.

"We need to know if we need an e-tag for this. We are here to get some information," she said.

Their adult daughter, Natalie Hobbs, said they were abiding by the law.

John Clarke from Johannesburg said: "I want to know what the alternative charges are for alternative users. If I refuse to pay as an alternate user, will I be prosecuted under the Sanral Act or Aarto?"

"Is it going to be enforced by the SA Police Service, the metro police or by Sanral?"

At a quiet Cedar Square shopping centre in Fourways, there were only four people inside the e-tag shop around 11.30am.

A shop assistant, who refused to be named, said he had a busy couple of days, but the process was running smoothly.

"It has been busy but it takes about eight to 10 minutes to register," he said. "We have had no glitches so far."

He said customers were from mixed age groups.

A customer, Janet Edmiston from Johannesburg, said: "I am not happy at all. I am forced to get an e-tag, else I would end up paying more."

She said she did not use the highways a lot, but from time to time it was necessary. She also felt it was unfair that only some people were granted exemptions.

At the San Ridge Square in Midrand, seven people were seen inside the shop before 1pm.

An employee, Daisy Tladi, said people were not coming in big numbers --with about 20 people registering a day.

A man, who did not want to be named, said he felt people were being cornered into buying e-tags. Another customer said she wanted to comply with the law.

At the Centurion mall, where five people were in line, one customer said he was avoiding a last-minute rush.

In the mall, Chrisna Botha, 32, said she would not register, and would simply avoid the tolled highways.

Amos Sejake, who works in Rivonia, said e-tolls put "holes in peoples' pockets".

At the Bonaero centre in Kempton Park, a 71-year-old pensioner, giving his first name as Sydney, said he did not earn a salary and did not have enough money for e-tolling.

"I feel with my age I should also... enjoy the same benefit [being exempted]. Therefore I will not be participating in the e-tolls.

"The money used to develop this ridiculous system could have been used to deliver services for poor people who are constantly protesting."

A shop assistant said most people preferred the pre-paid option.

In other big malls, like the East Rand mall, e-toll shops were busy and constantly had queues, she said.

At Maponya mall in Soweto, e-toll shop assistants refused to speak to the media.

Customer Tseliso Mohotsi said he was not happy with e-tolls but he would buy them to avoid penalties.

"I use the N1 and N14 daily, which means I'll be spending almost R480 per month and that's unfair," he said.

Gugu Cindi came to the outlet to find out more about the system as she still did not understand why she had to pay for it.

"I feel like the government doesn't have our interests at heart... why should I pay when I'm already paying tax?"

Cindi was unsure about whether to register.

Sasavona Baloyi said: "I will only support e-tolls if the government says it's a criminal offence not to have an e-tag."


Source : Sapa /mar/ge/lk/km/bm/hdw
Date : 27 Nov 2013 15:46
Click to expand...

Kind of a mixed bag there hey. Still a little worrying that people are getting e-tags
 
Compton_effect said:
Hmm. time to go in and ask a lot of questions, keep the person busy for your lunch hour. Then tell them that you are just there to wase their time, and repeat at the next store tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Actually a very good plan, and not in the slightest illegal.
 
ETM Analytics developed their own index to track inflation, based on 20 basic grocery products most people buy. They tracked the prices in 4 different large grocery stores in Fourways, JHB.

Results are a bit scary. :(

BaDZNsDCEAAW_9r.png:large


Now imagine with e-Trolls on top of this...
 
OrbitalDawn said:
ETM Analytics developed their own index to track inflation, based on 20 basic grocery products most people buy. They tracked the prices in 4 different large grocery stores in Fourways, JHB.

Results are a bit scary. :(

BaDZNsDCEAAW_9r.png:large


Now imagine with e-Trolls on top of this...
Click to expand...

Holy carp. Well I figure if e-tolls go ahead the increases will hit us from Jan 2014. I don't want to even think about the prices of food and specifically bread.
 
Musiclover08 said:
Kind of a mixed bag there hey. Still a little worrying that people are getting e-tags
Click to expand...

20 people here and there isn't a lot.
I tried to spot an e-tag on any vehicle on the N1 between PTA and JHB this morning and I couldn't see a single one so mass compliance still seems to be the prevailing theme.
 
Paul_S said:
20 people here and there isn't a lot.
I tried to spot an e-tag on any vehicle on the N1 between PTA and JHB this morning and I couldn't see a single one so mass compliance still seems to be the prevailing theme.
Click to expand...

I hope I am wrong: I hope this is not some mass apathy instead of an active defiance campaign, like when people wait till the last minute to file their tax returns. I fear that as soon as a slight bit of pressure (bullying) from SANRAL starts - maybe a 1 or 2 letters of demand etc and the inconvenience factor starts to hit, people will start getting tagged en masse. If the court case on 2nd Dec fails, we will probably see much larger amounts of people registering and getting tags when they all back from holiday starting 1 Feb 2014.
 
Paul_S said:
20 people here and there isn't a lot.
I tried to spot an e-tag on any vehicle on the N1 between PTA and JHB this morning and I couldn't see a single one so mass compliance still seems to be the prevailing theme.
Click to expand...

It's pretty pointless looking around Joburg - the real chink will come from Pretoria, the west and the east.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X