Government15.01.2016

Why you should pay e-tolls

By Staff Writer

With both the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance and Afriforum stating that e-tolls are unlawful, motorists who have not been paying their tolls were encouraged to continue their civil disobedience.

Also read: Why you shouldn’t pay your e-tolls

Outa recently said Sanral’s e-toll scheme had completely collapsed as it had collected less than 1% of the outstanding bills – even after they were discounted by 60%.

Afriforum received confirmation from the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications that the cameras Sanral uses for vehicle number plate recognition have not been properly certified.

The organisation said this means all e-toll bills sent to motorists who are not using an e-tag are illegal.

In light of these developments, Sanral has answered the question many motorists are asking: why should we pay our e-tolls?

1. If everyone pays, it will ease congestion

Economist Roelof Botha said in a video interview with Sanral that thanks to lower congestion levels, motorists save time on the road and on maintenance costs.

2. It pays for the continued maintenance and upkeep of the road

Transport economist Andrew Marsay said in a recent radio interview on 702 that the rationale behind the e-toll system in Gauteng was to prioritise public money into public transport.

More well-off South Africans who could afford their own cars and use public roads then pay at the point of use, with the money going towards the maintenance of the road they used.

3. It makes financial sense

Marsay said that because wealthier residents of Gauteng have revolted against e-tolls, the government is in a difficult position.

“It now has to fund the roads and at the same time is under big pressure to put more money into public transport.”

4. It is the right thing to do

5. It eases the burden on the poor

“E-tolling does not discriminate against the poor. It is a progressive tax, not a regressive tax,” said Marsay.

He said relatively wealthier people in Gauteng – people who can afford to own and run a car – have chosen to rebel against the system and that has condemned lower income people to a worse situation than they would have been in otherwise.

“It is going to take much longer now to make public transport better.”