Legislation paving the way for putting e-tolling on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) into practice was approved in the National Assembly on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Introducing debate on the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill, Transport Minister Ben Martins said the bill was essential to enable “the appropriate implementation of the e-tolling system”.<\/p>\n
These measures were required to implement the GFIP and to facilitate provision of public transport and other projects in Gauteng, he said.<\/p>\n
He rejected calls for e-tolling to be scrapped, saying the non-collection of tolls might impact negatively on the ability of the SA National Roads Agency Limited to raise capital for infrastructure development projects.<\/p>\n
Inability to collect revenue would also damage the credit reputation of Sanral among investors, and could negatively affect Sanral and government’s international ratings, Martins said.<\/p>\n
The bill was strongly opposed by most opposition parties, with the Democratic Alliance’s Ian Ollis calling it “the world’s most expensive toll collection system”.<\/p>\n
According to the DA’s calculations, it could cost up to R11 billion over eight years to operate.<\/p>\n
There were many more efficient funding models available, such as a fuel levy of ten to 14 cents a litre, which would cover all the costs of the GFIP, he said.<\/p>\n
The measure was approved by 193 votes to 98 in a division. There were two abstentions.<\/p>\n
The bill now goes to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence.<\/p>\n
Opposition to e-tolling has been widespread and virulent, with the Congress of SA Trade Unions organising extensive protest action and urging motorists not to register with Sanral or buy e-tags.<\/p>\n
An application by the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) to scrap e-tolling was dismissed in December by the High Court in Pretoria.<\/p>\n
The court granted Outa leave, on January 25, to take the matter to the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein.<\/p>\n
A date for the appeals court hearing has yet to be set.<\/p>\n