SANRAL sheds light on e-tolling

ALBERTON – Community members of Alberton and Johannesburg South have been concerned and complaining about how the e-toll system has been implemented. Some are affected and feel threatened by this (enforced) system.

Vusi Mona, General Manager of Communications at SANRAL, responded as follows:

“There is no reason for the community to be threatened (as you allege) by the e-toll system. E-toll is an electronic payment method available to road users to pay their toll fees on a tolled road.

“Certain sections of Gauteng’s freeways have been upgraded and improved, and the cost must be funded. One of the myths being perpetuated by those opposed to e-tolling is that SANRAL and the Government failed to investigate alternative funding models fully.

“Different funding methods were investigated – and this is a matter of court records in the litigation that has happened on this matter.

The North Gauteng High Court ruled that the appropriate consultation process was followed in accordance with the law, when the system was being introduced to the public.

“While doing this we took into account the fact that the funding model we chose had to be equitable and it had to be sustainable.

“There are two ways in which road improvement in South Africa can be funded – through an allocation from the fiscus or through road tolling. In our case, 84 per cent of the national roads we look after are funded through the fiscus.

“However, because of constraints on the national purse, there are instances where tolling is limitedly and selectively used. Do note that the fuel levy goes into the fund which powers the fiscus.

“Government then allocates the funds from this based on what it has prioritised. Road infrastructure is trumped by health, social development, education and subsidies to public transport. The fuel levy is not ring-fenced.”

Did you know?

The North Gauteng High Court ruled that the appropriate consultation process was followed in accordance with the law, when the system was being introduced to the public.

SANRAL implemented the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project in consultation with provincial and local authorities. An Environmental Impact Assessment, with public participation sessions, was conducted.

Media coverage on the project, which included community-, national-, regional-, trade-, print, as well as broadcast, date back to 1999. Additional consultation sessions were held in 2011/2012, by the Gauteng Legislator and the Minister of Transport.

A full Intent to Toll process, which included the advertisement of the project details in national and regional press, was concluded in 2007. Cabinet approved the project in 2007.

After presentation to, and recommendation by, the portfolio committee (consisting of different political parties), various presentations were made to the different spheres of government and relevant forums.

These forums were represented by all political parties. Information sessions and meetings were held with business organisations. These engagement sessions (presentations, meetings, information sessions) were conducted as early as 2006, long before any money was raised or construction commenced.

Media coverage on the project, which included community-, national-, regional-, trade-, print, as well as broadcast, date back to 1999. Additional consultation sessions were held in 2011/2012, by the Gauteng Legislator and the Minister of Transport.

Among the concerns and complaints are:

What was the e-toll implemented for, who was the e-toll implemented by and why has it been placed, what are the reasons behind placing the e-toll booms/booths in the Johannesburg Metropolitan regions and not expanding around South Africa?

The SANRAL personnel are civilians and have no authority to stop any vehicle to enforce e-toll laws. SANRAL is confident that none of its personnel has even done so.

Note that e-tolls are simply an additional method of paying tolls. Instead of a road-user having to stop and pay tolls, and possibly waiting in line, e-tolling in an Open Road Tolling system enables cars to drive at normal highway speeds.

In a boom down situation, an e-toll lane scans the e-tag through technology mounted on the toll booth and the boom will open allowing the vehicle to pass at a reduced speed of about 40km/h. E-tolling is already an option on the N4 Bakwena.

Adding an e-toll lane does not mean additional costs for the road user. It simply means giving the road user the option to pay electronically instead of manually.

Many people have also noted that they cannot afford or it is not part of their budget. What do the middle-class and people who can’t afford it, what do they or can they do?

Since the first announcement of the toll tariffs in February 2011, Government has reduced the toll tariffs twice.

These concessions have been made possible by the increase of the debt repayment period, as well as the R5.7 billion contribution from the national revenue fund.

The toll tariff strategy makes provision for various discounts, including frequent user discount, time of day discount and is capped monthly for users that are registered with an e-tag.

Through Number Plate Recognition the actual costs for road users were determined. These figures were communicated previously and were audited and found to be sound.

The monthly cap is R450 for light vehicles. By having an e-tag your readers can be sure that they only pay this amount.

Another member has mentioned that they have a caravan attached to their car and explain that they have to pay double the amount even though the caravan is attached to the car that is dragging it along.

This should not be the case, only the pulling vehicle should be charged. This complaint may be lodged by the road user directly to our Customer Services at info@sa-etoll.co.za, via the e-toll call centre on 0800 726 725 or by visiting an e-toll customer service outlets located at Gauteng malls, or along the Gauteng e-roads.

Another concern

Community member has discussed that letters are coming through and stating that it is an illegal offence not to pay e-toll fees and something regarding legal actions will (force) or can (possibly) be taken.

A letter/document would arrive indicating that if the member paid on a certain day, he/she could pay the discounted amount of the actual amount. The discount would be for example in February and the letter only arrives a month later- now whose problem does this become?

SANRAL personnel are civilians and have no authority to stop any vehicle to enforce e-toll laws.

It should be noted that the legal obligation to pay arises from the use of the tolled road, marked accordingly. Payment options and the grace period are noted on the sign boards across the Gauteng e-roads. This is no different from making use of a conventional toll plaza where toll is payable at the toll booth.

“The oldest debt will be settled first. If you fail to pay your e-toll fees within the prescribed period you have committed an offence and will be liable for the full value indicated herein.

“The total amount payable is indicated on the statement. No cash payments by post will be accepted. Should you continue not to pay the amount owing, a legal process may commence.”

How does this action fall into place within the consumer protection act?

The management of the collection of toll fees are done in accordance with the appropriate legislation.

In addition, please see media release (contact Sanral 0800 726 725 or find it on their website – www.sanral.co.za) – on the extension of the post-grace period to allow users to pay outstanding e-toll accounts.

A complaint about police who performed a road block/s on the N12 highway and stop people to ask where their e-tags were; what exactly is happening with this and why is it being done?

The e-toll caravan or bus is there on the side of the road with the police (traffic department) asking people these questions. What does the E-toll bus/combi have to do with the traffic department or the police?

SANRAL and the Gauteng Department of Community Safety have jointly addressed the issue of on-road enforcement during media interviews that took place on Friday, June 6 2014. SANRAL has no mandate on “on road enforcements and road blocks”.

SANRAL has its toll collection process that does not involve the GDCS. And we state again: obtaining an e-tag is not a legal requirement and it therefore does not need any enforcement.

SANRAL, in a spirit of cooperative governance with the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, makes available its equipment and data to the traffic officers.

The officers are on the road to do law enforcement and not to ask motorists if they have e-tags. SANRAL has its toll collection process that does not involve the GDCS. And we state again: obtaining an e-tag is not a legal requirement and it therefore does not need any enforcement.

SANRAL has definitely not requested GDCS or any law enforcement agency to question road users whether they have e-tags or not. We are assured by the GDCS that none of their officers have been instructed to do so. SANRAL personnel are civilians and have no authority to stop any vehicle to enforce e-toll laws. SANRAL is confident that none of its personnel has even done so.

SANRAL would encourage road users who say they have been stopped and asked about e-tags to take note of the time, place and officer who has asked the question and report it to the tip-offs anonymous line at 0800 204 508.