SAVRALA welcomes delay in implemetation of e-tolling
The Southern Africa Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (SAVRALA) has welcomed the announcement by the new South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) board to apply its mind to the serious concerns raised by stakeholders who have opposed the current Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) e-tolling implementation plan which is now delayed.
SAVRALA would welcome any opportunity to present its concerns to the new board and have a constructive discussion about the funding of the GFIP.
At a special SAVRALA meeting it was agreed that the association would continue to oppose the current e-tolling implementation plan and, if necessary, take legal action. The members confirmed that they were not unwilling to pay for the GFIP (or other road) improvements but wanted a more cost efficient funding model which the national fuel levy presents.
SAVRALA believes that only a very small number of about 20,000 Gauteng public road users are included in the reported 213,000 e-tags registered with SANRAL to date. It believes that the very large majority of e-tags may be held by financial institutions and a few mid-sized corporates. However, SAVRALA awaits further detail from SANRAL in this regard. It is obvious that the general public, despite the expensive SANRAL marketing campaign, have given a clear signal to SANRAL that it rejects the e-toll plans.
