Toll roads need public buy-in to succeed

Engineering News quoted African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) equity fund's Mikesh Pema as saying that political support and efficient communication between the public, concessionaires and governments are key to a successful toll road implementation in Africa.

2 Mar 2012

"This can be achieved by focusing on effective customer service." Pema said. "The public must see the benefit of paying toll fees and concessionaires should seek to deliver continued improvement,"

Speaking at the sixth Africa Roads convention in Sandton, Pema said user-pay discount models could assist in gaining public support. "Discounts counter public and anti-toll sentiment by reducing the financial burden, particularly for users residing near a plaza," he stated. According to Engineering News, Pema said the failure of many proposed tolling projects in Africa has pointed to the importance of experienced implementation authorities and trustworthy project partners. "Concessionaires and governments must realise that only certain road sections are viable for toll roads," he concluded.

Read the full article on www.engineeringnews.co.za.