Toll fees slashed

[Paul_S]

... it's not because of taxi owners and drivers themselves at all, it's about the passengers. Its about the passengers who are poor already and further burdening them will have unintended consequences.

If I am forced to subsidise other people's living expenses then should I not also have a say about how they manage their lives?
I don't spend anything on alcohol or smoking yet I see plenty of these "poor" people throwing their salaries away at the bottle stores and shabeens come payday.
Why must I be held responsible for other people's lack of responsibility with regards to family and financial planning?

At what level can we stop donating to the poor and let them be responsible for their own actions?
50% tax? 80% tax? 100% tax?
Socialism will fail at the end of the day - it's just a matter of time.

 

[Crowley]

You might have a legitimate problem with taxi drivers and taxi owners because of their on and off violence, erratic driving, inconsideration of other road users, etc. You might be justified with the unfairness of people like you and I of having to pay for the toll roads while taxi owners and taxi drivers ride for free. What you must bear in mind though is that there are +/- 15 passengers on that taxi. There are +/- 15 people who just want to go to work so that at the end of the month they can get paid so they can feed their families. The reason why government and SANRAL decided not to let taxis and buses pay is not because they (government) are afraid of taxis, it's not because of taxi owners and drivers themselves at all, it's about the passengers. Its about the passengers who are poor already and further burdening them will have unintended consequences.

You say taxis must be taxed, fair enough. But why aren't churches taxed?

The point I was making about people like you and me who are lucky enough to have jobs and skills is that we are better off than poor people who use taxis on a daily basis. I also earn a modest salary, I share a 2 bedroom apartment with someone which means I can't afford to buy a house. But it is possible to free up R550 a month.

So the taxi bosses who make millions without paying tax are running their taxis for humanity's sake? They make more money a month than I make in a year, why should they not pay the same amount if not more than I do?

 

[Chevron]

This really needs to be stopped now. No matter how cheap they make it first, every year there will be increases.

 

[Sly21C]

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

I can, but I sure as hell won't.

Without being too emotional, why don't you want to pay the toll fees? The GFIP has made a difference in as far as saving time is concerned. I'm not saying things are perfect, I'm saying things are better with the GFIP. Who should pay for the GFIP? Should taxpayers from the other 8 provinces pay for 1 province through levies? Why should someone living in a farm in Bloem subsidize an improved road network he/she will never ever use? If only people (us) in Gauteng should pay, how do you propose we pay? Any suggestions? The best way for Gauteng motorists to pay for the GFIP is through the tolling system.

If I am forced to subsidise other people's living expenses then should I not also have a say about how they manage their lives?
I don't spend anything on alcohol or smoking yet I see plenty of these "poor" people throwing their salaries away at the bottle stores and shabeens come payday.
Why must I be held responsible for other people's lack of responsibility with regards to family and financial planning?

At what level can we stop donating to the poor and let them be responsible for their own actions?
50% tax? 80% tax? 100% tax?
Socialism will fail at the end of the day - it's just a matter of time.

Not everyone that is poor abuses alcohol and is irresponsible with their lives. I will bet that it's actually a very small minority that are irresponsible with their lives.

I also don't like subsidizing someone who will misuse my hard earned money, at the same time I don't want to punish responsible people who happen to be poor.

So the taxi bosses who make millions without paying tax are running their taxis for humanity's sake? They make more money a month than I make in a year, why should they not pay the same amount if not more than I do?

Still, your gripe is with taxi owners it seems, they are the ones making money. Taxi drivers are in fact exploited. I stand to be corrected but they don't have UIF, they don't get employed formally and have little protection. So taxi drivers in a way are like Chinese workers. You should differentiate between taxi drivers and taxi owners. You should also make a distinction between the 70% of all the workers in this country that make use of taxis and the taxi drivers. I also don't like the way taxi drivers conduct themselves on our roads but don't forget about the passengers, unless ofcourse you don't care?

 

[Chevron]

Without being too emotional, why don't you want to pay the toll fees? The GFIP has made a difference in as far as saving time is concerned. I'm not saying things are perfect, I'm saying things are better with the GFIP. Who should pay for the GFIP? Should taxpayers from the other 8 provinces pay for 1 province through levies? Why should someone living in a farm in Bloem subsidize an improved road network he/she will never ever use? If only people (us) in Gauteng should pay, how do you propose we pay? Any suggestions? The best way for Gauteng motorists to pay for the GFIP is through the tolling system.

Sanral doesn't just look after Gauteng. Next year that guy in Bloem will get his road upgraded aswell.

 

[daveza]

If taxis are to use the freeway, then the playing ( paying ) fields must be level.

If I drive 3 other people to work why must I pay tolls but the taxis do not have to ?

Yes, the taxi owners must pay tax as they get the income and pay the driver a salary.

Contrary to what the govt likes to suggest, taxis are not public transport. They are privately owned, and if one drives into you you cannot claim for damages from the government.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Should taxpayers from the other 8 provinces pay for 1 province through levies?

That's a crap argument dude, the whole country is in it together. Should Gauteng contribute towards 40% of the GDP and subsidise the other provinces? Wtf are the other 8 provinces doing? Do you see the point?

 

[supersunbird]

That's a crap argument dude, the whole country is in it together. Should Gauteng contribute towards 40% of the GDP and subsidise the other provinces? Wtf are the other 8 provinces doing? Do you see the point?

Ja, come on sly21, please think it through and tell us?

 

[TheTwo]

what it would take for all of us to get onto the highways and switch off our cars?

 

[Sinbad]

If taxis are to use the freeway, then the playing ( paying ) fields must be level.

If I drive 3 other people to work why must I pay tolls but the taxis do not have to ?

Yes, the taxi owners must pay tax as they get the income and pay the driver a salary.

Contrary to what the govt likes to suggest, taxis are not public transport. They are privately owned, and if one drives into you you cannot claim for damages from the government.

Taxis are a cash business. How much of that do you think is declared to SARS????

 

[daveza]

Taxis are a cash business. How much of that do you think is declared to SARS????

Absolutely NOTHING.

But they must get a free ride ?

 

[za1]

what it would take for all of us to get onto the highways and switch off our cars?

get 10 friends, 2 in each lane so you determine the speed and drive slowly until you come to a stop
then spend the weekend in some cell, but you might all get to be on TV

 

[Ricard]

get 10 friends, 2 in each lane so you determine the speed and drive slowly until you come to a stop
then spend the weekend in some cell, but you might all get to be on TV

Dont use cars... they are too easily moved. use Artic trucks( superlinks would be brilliant) or buses.

 

[Crowley]

Still, your gripe is with taxi owners it seems, they are the ones making money. Taxi drivers are in fact exploited. I stand to be corrected but they don't have UIF, they don't get employed formally and have little protection. So taxi drivers in a way are like Chinese workers. You should differentiate between taxi drivers and taxi owners. You should also make a distinction between the 70% of all the workers in this country that make use of taxis and the taxi drivers. I also don't like the way taxi drivers conduct themselves on our roads but don't forget about the passengers, unless ofcourse you don't care?

To be honest, I couldn't give a **** about the people using taxis. I have to pay rent on my house because I don't want to live in a squatter camp. I pay inflated prices on my car because we don't have a functional public transport system. I also struggle every month with the money I have left after the government takes 40% of what I earn and now they want to take even more.

****'em.

 

[Sly21C]

To be honest, I couldn't give a **** about the people using taxis. I have to pay rent on my house because I don't want to live in a squatter camp. I pay inflated prices on my car because we don't have a functional public transport system. I also struggle every month with the money I have left after the government takes 40% of what I earn and now they want to take even more.

****'em.

Thanks for your honesty, I'm sure a large majority of people reading this share your sentiments.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Thanks for your honesty, I'm sure a large majority of people reading this share your sentiments.

Sounds kind of sarcastic. What do you want from us? Do you want us to plunge into poverty so that we can all be equal, or do you want the poor to become wealthier so that we can all be equal? It certainly appears that, like the ANC, you're leaning towards the former. We know what they stand to gain by doing this, but the question is what do you get out of it?

Nice job dodging all the responses and questions aimed at you in this thread btw.

 

[The_Mowgs]

Sly- the reason why the people will not pay for this is because they are gatvol of all the money that the government steals from them. The roads were supposed to be paid with the fuel levy money which we pay for every time we fill our tanks. Where has all that money gone too? They now just want more money. What will you do if the government comes to you on monday and say they are there to collect an additional 20% tax on your salary because they don't know where the other 40% went to?

Will you just smile and give it to them? People (tax payers) are busy getting very angry because they (we) just need to pay, pay, and ****ing pay some more. After this toll crap has been dealt with we must all stand together against the NHI because there, yet again we have to support the non tax paying people so yet again we must just pay, pay and pay some ****ing more!

 

[Mila]

I have a plan.

If you support the current government you get an e tag. So when elections come around. When you make your mark you get a Tag. That is fair. You support it you pay for it . The rest get a declaration from the ruling party that say they are exempt. ( to show the retards in the etag police)

This is a party tax for ANC Voters only.

 

[Sly21C]

Sounds kind of sarcastic. What do you want from us? Do you want us to plunge into poverty so that we can all be equal, or do you want the poor to become wealthier so that we can all be equal? It certainly appears that, like the ANC, you're leaning towards the former. We know what they stand to gain by doing this, but the question is what do you get out of it?

Nice job dodging all the responses and questions aimed at you in this thread btw.

I'm not sure about your question, what do I get out of what? I usually dodge responses and questions that are meant to insult.

Sly- the reason why the people will not pay for this is because they are gatvol of all the money that the government steals from them. The roads were supposed to be paid with the fuel levy money which we pay for every time we fill our tanks. Where has all that money gone too? They now just want more money. What will you do if the government comes to you on monday and say they are there to collect an additional 20% tax on your salary because they don't know where the other 40% went to?

Will you just smile and give it to them? People (tax payers) are busy getting very angry because they (we) just need to pay, pay, and ****ing pay some more. After this toll crap has been dealt with we must all stand together against the NHI because there, yet again we have to support the non tax paying people so yet again we must just pay, pay and pay some ****ing more!

I am in agreement with you. I am also getting tired of the growing trend in government that tax payers must always bail out mistakes made by government. I think this boycotting of the e-tolling system is a start of a movement against government's wastage of taxpayers' money. I'm glad Vavi is sort of spearheading this cry because he's the most outspoken ANC member against corruption.

I don't agree with people who say they will boycott e-tolls just because taxis are exempt. Those people must realize that it's not about taxi drivers and taxi owners, it's about the passengers. If taxis should pay tax then churches should also pay tax. This issue with taxis we have to agree to disagree.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

I'm not sure about your question, what do I get out of what? I usually dodge responses and questions that are meant to insult.

Many of them aren't insulting, you're just dodging them.