Double whammy for motorists as fuel, tolls set to rise

It could be a double blow for motorists next month amid expected price increases in toll fees and fuel prices.

While the petrol price is expected to increase by R1.35 per litre and diesel by R1.43 per litre, from next month, a return trip from Richards Bay to Durban will cost motorists R182 in toll fees alone.

The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) announced that as of 1 March, light motor vehicles will pay R59,00 at the mainline Mtunzini toll, R17,50 at Mvoti plaza and R14,50 at oThongathi.

Although the annual toll increase is set to be 6.25% – lower than last year’s 6.58% – the rise could have a major impact on frequent travellers who will have to bump up their monthly commuter budgets.

The Automobile Association (AA), which predicts hefty fuel price increases for March, projects fuel prices to breach the R24 per litre mark for both grades of petrol, edging close to the R25 per litre record high seen last year.

The AA was commenting on mid-month fuel data released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF).

“We remain concerned about these expected increases, which will undoubtedly put more pressure on already stretched consumers.

“These hefty increases also reaffirm our belief that a review of the fuel price is necessary to establish if any components within the current pricing model can be revised by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) to mitigate against rising costs, especially for diesel as higher input costs will be recovered through higher prices at the till,” said AA spokesperson Layton Beard.

The association is pleading with the minister of finance to ‘strongly consider not increasing the General Fuel and Road Accident Fund levies in his Budget Speech on 21 February’.

“Any relief – even in the form of non-increases – would be welcome to a consumer base already reeling from economic hardship,” said Beard.

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