New e-toll rates are next year’s problem
The Transport Department says that the implementation of the new e-toll tariffs in Gauteng could take as long as 18 months.
On Wednesday Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a new payment model for e-tolls which will see fees halved.
The new e-tolls dispensation comes in the form of a new hybrid model, to fund 200km of Gauteng’s freeways as part of Phase 1 of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP).
The bulk of funds will be drawn from users of the Gauteng e-roads, while the shortfall will be supplemented by funding from the Gauteng Provincial government.
- The monthly cap for e-toll road users has been adjusted to R225, from R450 previously.
- The current 58 cents per kilometre will be reduced to 30 cents per kilometre for people using e-roads.
- Public transport will continue to be exempted and will not have to pay e-toll tariffs.
- Infrequent road users will be granted 30 free gantry trips per year, after which they will need to pay.
The Transport Department said that the new changes would not be implemented immediately, “as this is a technology dependent system software changes and system reconfiguration will be needed and these require some time to complete”.
However, the department warned that “all tariff changes, discounts, new caps and free gantry passes for infrequent users, will be effective from the dates they are gazetted in the Government Gazette”.
The New Dispensation will be rolled out in phases, as changes are made to legislation, the e-toll system and administrative processes.
Changes will be phased in over 18 months, or by the end of 2016.
Within 10 to 12 weeks would see the announcement and gazetting of:
- Monthly caps
- Single tariff.
Within 3 to 4 months would see the announcement and gazetting of outstanding debt payment arrangements and discounts.
Within 6 to 18 months would see the implementation and gazetting of:
- Prohibition of issuing a vehicle licence disc if there are outstanding toll fees. SANRAL and the Department of Transport have already started with the administrative and legal processes as required by the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA).
- Infrequent Discount Regime (30 free gantry passes per annum)
- New cap for customers who pay through the existing vehicle licencing process
- Integration with SAPO and Licencing Offices.
The deputy president said that motorists will have to pay their outstanding e-tolls upon renewal of vehicle licences, “creating a solid link between road users and the e-toll system”.
All current outstanding e-toll bills will be discounted by 60%, with road users given 6 months to pay these off, he said.
More on e-tolls
New e-tolls, car licences and your rights
Big shock awaits e-toll non payers
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