“Caring government” wants to fix e-toll billing mess

·25 Feb 2014

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane has pledged to have the e-toll billing mess resolved, should the matter persist.

Mokonyane’s statement follows concerns voiced by President Jacob Zuma about incorrect billing for e-tolls in Gauteng, which the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) assured are being addressed.

“We welcome the recent announcement by the Ministry of Transport that conscious efforts are being made to eliminate the initial technical glitches to the e-toll billing system.”

“That is the right thing to do as our people deserve a system that is efficient, fair and transparent,” said Mokonyane in her state of the province address on Monday (24 February).

“However, in the event that these identified systemic challenges on e-toll billing system persist, as a caring government, Gauteng will make further representation to the Minister of Transport to ensure that the matter gets resolved,” the premier said.

Mokonyane said that the upgrading to world class standards of 200km of the Gauteng freeway system through Sanral is an achievement.

She said that the Gauteng Freeway improvement Project offers improved driving quality and has shortened travelling times between Tshwane, Johannesburg and O.R. Tambo International Airport so as to promote productivity and ease of movement of travellers, goods and services in Gauteng.

“In fact, the project has substantially reduced traffic congestion, particularly at the Gillooly’s and Allandale Interchanges.”

The premier also thanked “over one million people who have registered for the e-tolls and bought their e-tags. It’s the right thing to do”.

Last week, Sanral noted that in excess of 1.2 million e-tags had been registered for e-tolls, with between 30,000 and 45,000 people registering on Sanral’s system each week.