UPDATE: OUTA supports Mayor’s decision

JOBURG – Free e-toll roads are part of the City of Joburg infrastructure upgrades.

August 2, 2015

Phathu Luvhengo 1 minute read

City of Joburg Executive Mayor councillor Mpho Parks Tau mentions in the State of the City Address that upgraded roads will be without e-tolls. File photo.

The Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA) says it has been encouraged to continue the battle against e-tolls subsequent to the public statement made by Joburg Executive Mayor councillor Mpho Parks Tau.

“We believe the Mayor’s position is one which supports the notion that social infrastructure ought not to subjected to a user pays system, least of all, one which is as inefficient and costly as the e-toll system introduced by SANRAL,” says OUTA’s chairperson Wayne Duvenage.

OUTA was encouraged by the public statement made by Mayor Tau at the Nedbank – New Partnership for Africa’s Development conference, wherein he expressed his opposition to the tolling of Johannesburg’s urban road infrastructure.

“Mayor Parks Tau is justified in his opposition to have his city’s roads subjected to the cumbersome and virtually unworkable tolling process,” said Duvenage.

City of Joburg mayoral communications officer Phindile Chauke supported the mayor’s statement and indicated that free e-toll roads was part of Joburg infrastructure upgrades.

“The City of Johannesburg is set to roll out R300-million worth of upgrades on the M1 and M2 freeways next week that will be without e-tolls,” she explained.

She indicated that e-tolls on the M1 and M2 freeways were not part of the ongoing R110-billion infrastructure upgrade of the City when the programme was finalised six years ago.

“Work to repair the double decker section, Oxford and Federation bridges along the M1 will also be launched by the City next week as part of the Joburg roads improvement drive,” said Chauke.

She concluded that the City was also pleading for patience on the roads while the construction is in progress. “We encourage motorists to use public transport as an alternative or use other routes to ease congestion on the affected roads throughout the construction which is set to bring long-term benefits for all the people of Johannesburg,” she concluded.

Details: Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance 011 709 6882; City of Joburg 011 407 7375.