Gauteng e-tolling halted

Registrations kicked off in November, with SANRAL urging motorists to become "e-toll ready" by ensuring they have an e-tag, register for an e-toll account and fit their e-tag on the inside of their windscreen.

Motorists have complained about the unaffordability of toll tariffs, despite government reassessing them and making them cheaper. New tariffs were approved by Cabinet in August last year.

Under the new prices, motorcycles would pay 24c/km, from the initial proposed 29c/km. Light motor vehicles (class A2) will pay 40c/km, while medium vehicles (class B) will pay R1/km. Longer vehicles (class C) will pay R2/km.

Minibuses, buses... no charge

However, commuter taxis and buses approved by authorities would not have to pay toll fees.

In a statement on Friday, SANRAL said its newly appointed Board had met with Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele in Pretoria on Thursday where the matter was discussed.

"With regards to e-tolling in Gauteng, the board is currently seized with this very serious matter and will address the current stakeholder concerns and issues raised in the petitions submitted to the Minister.

The Board is committed to meeting all its obligations to the stakeholders, and is exploring different modalities,"

SANRAL said it would present its findings to the minister, who would in turn present a report to Cabinet.

"Therefore, E-tolling in Gauteng will not commence during February 2012," said SANRAL.