OUTA goes full steam ahead against e-tolls
JOBURG – Opposition Alliance still pushes for the scrapping of e-tolls, despite recent findings by the e-toll panel.
The Opposition of Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA) raised concerns, following the recent review by the e-toll panel on 15 January.
The organisation raised their disappointments after the system was rejected by the panel and instead the new proposition to reduce partial funding merely beats around the bush.
The panel proposed reduced or partial funding of the debt through the use of e-tolls by pushing up collection costs as a percentage of the revenue. OUTA spokesperson Wayne Duvenage said the recent fuel price reduction should have provided the government with the ideal opportunity to hold back a share in the fuel levy.
“Holding back 10 cents per litre into the fuel levy would raise the necessary R2.2 billion per annum needed to service the GFIP bonds. To propose other costly and more complicated options makes no sense.”
Gauteng Premier David Makhura assigned an e-toll panel last year to review the sustainability and financial impact of the system.
Duvenage, however, believes, “There is no real chance of changing the public’s perception and acceptance of e-tolling as proposed in these recommendations – and for this reason, we suggest that trying to be ‘half pregnant’ on the issue will not work.”
