Motorists to pay less on e-tolls
The Deputy President said that e-toll fees that are currently outstanding will be discounted by 60%.
The Deputy President’s announcement will see motorists paying at least 50% less on their e-tolls bill in a new dispensation that the SA National Roads Agency (SANRAL) will implement in phases.
He said the reduction was made possible after a decision was taken to implement a hybrid model – where the national and provincial governments, as well as road users – all contribute to the payment model.
“We are announcing a dispensation that is fair, affordable and sustainable. This new dispensation is the product of extensive engagement between national government and the province of Gauteng and as approved by Cabinet,” the Deputy President said at a media briefing in Cape Town.
According to the new dispensation, the Deputy President announced that:
– Class A1 (motorcycles and similar) will pay 18 cents per kilometre – about a 50% reduction;
– Class A2 (light motor vehicle and similar) will pay 30 cents per kilometre, down from 58 cents per kilometre;
– Class B (medium heavy vehicles and similar) will now pay 75 cents per kilometre, also a 50% reduction; and
– Those driving Class C (large vehicles and similar) will pay 150 cents per kilometre (also a 50% cut)
Deputy President Ramaphosa said public transport operators with a valid operator’s permit will remain exempt from paying for e-tolls to protect the poor.
With regards to monthly caps on e-tolls, the new tariff structure will see a notable reduction of e-tolls bills for all Gauteng motorists and infrequent users who are not from the province.
If you drive a motorcycle, your monthly bill will be reduced from R250 to R125 monthly, and those that drive light motor vehicles, like sedans, will see their bills reduced from R450 to R225.
Those that drive medium heavy vehicles will see their bills going down from R1750 to R875 per month, with those that operate heavy, larger vehicles, will pay R2900 per month, down from R3500.
“The new dispensation demonstrates that we are both a responsive and a responsible government.
“It addresses the concerns of Gauteng motorists, particularly those from low- and middle income households, while ensuring that our approach to the construction and maintenance of a road infrastructure is sustainable,” he said.
Deputy President Ramaphosa said government had reaffirmed the user-pay principle as a fair, affordable and reliable mechanism to fund infrastructure development.
“The new payment options safeguard the integrity of the fiscus and enhances the ability of the South African National Roads Agency to raise funds to meet its obligations.”
Those visiting the province and making less than 30 gantry passes per annum – known as infrequent users – will be exempted from paying for e-tolls.
The Deputy President said that e-toll fees that are currently outstanding will be discounted by 60%. Motorists that use tolled roads will have six months within which to settle their debts dating back to December 2013 at the discounted tariff.
This does not disadvantage users who have been paying e-tolls all along, the Deputy President said.
“There will be a monthly cap on the penalty for accounts in arrears. All users who do not pay tolls within the required 30 days will be obliged to pay double the toll tariff.
“To protect users from incurring high amounts of debt, this will be capped. In the case of light motor vehicles, for example, the monthly cap for accounts in arrears will be R450,” he said.
To nab defaulters, he said government would look at traffic regulations and this will see users with outstanding e-toll bills being blocked from renewing their vehicle licence disks.
“Settlement of e-toll fees will be linked to motor vehicle licence renewal. To further simplify the process and ensure better integration of road management systems, motorists will need to settle any outstanding e-toll fees before vehicle licence discs are issued,” the Deputy President announced.
More payment options and a simplified administration system are being introduced.
Alongside a substantial decrease in the cost to users, the new dispensation will integrate existing information systems to improve ease of use, accuracy of information and coordination between different agencies.
“This will make it easier for vehicle owners to pay their toll fees at different points. These will include SANRAL kiosks, Post Offices, provincial licensing offices, retailers, vehicle dealerships and online,” he added. – SAnews.gov.za
