E-toll booths headed for KZN’s N2, N3 plazas

DEDICATED e-toll booths will be running at existing plazas in KZN before the end of the year, according to the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral).

“We plan to roll out e-tolls at existing toll plazas as an additional form of payment to improve efficiency,” said Logashri Sewnarain, Sanral regional manager: Eastern region on Wednesday, 21 May. They emphasise that the booths, which should be up-and-running by November, will only be an added option for motorists and no-one will be forced to register or use the e-toll.

“People will be able to travel at 40kph in these dedicated e-toll lanes, without having to stop to make payments. The manual option will remain available for anyone who does not want to use this payment method,” said Sewnarain.

The toll plazas highlighted for this roll-out are Marianhill and Oribi. No additional toll plazas or fees are on the cards as yet.

“E-tolls will be good for businessmen – it will allow them to save time while travelling. Those of you who want to live in the old state can’t tell the rest of us how we must conduct our business. It is just another method of payment, like e-banking, but no-one seems to want that to stop,” said Vusi Mona, Sanral communications manager.

In response to queries about the possibility of the Isipingo toll plaza being implemented, Ravi Ronny, Sanral SIP II project manager said the environmental approval had been received, but no funding had been allocated as yet. “The impetus on is on the Greenfields toll plaza at the moment, not the Isipingo one at present.”