Gauteng residents urged to get e-tags

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"Today [Tuesday] is a demonstration that we have put our systems in place and we are ready," she said at the launch of the e-toll registration for government vehicles in Bedfordview, on the East Rand, on Tuesday.

"I wish to call on Gauteng residents to co-operate. Our roads were not like this 10 years ago... We believe there is value for money [in the e-tolls system]."

Commuters who travelled by trains, buses or taxis did not need to worry because fares would not increase because of e-tolling, she said. These forms of public transport were exempt from electronic tolling.

With effect from April 30, motorcycles with e-tags will pay 20c/km and those without, 38c. Light motor vehicles will pay 30c and 58c respectively, and non-articulated trucks 75c and R1.45.

Articulated trucks with e-tags will pay R1.51 a kilometre, and those without R2.90. Under the new fee system, the cost for motorcycles and light vehicles will be capped at R550 a month.

A calculator on the SA National Roads Agency's (Sanral) website allows users to work out the estimated cost of their daily, weekly or monthly journeys.

Discounts

(Image: GCIS)

The rates used on the e-toll calculator are based on the tariffs and discounts announced by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan during his Budget speech on 22 February.

At Tuesday's launch, Gauteng roads and transport MEC Ismail Vadi said it was planned to register up to 6000 government vehicles by the end of the day.

Sanral CEO Nazir Ali said it was a myth that people who registered for e-tolls had to provide their banking details.

"There are different forms to pay for e-tolls," he said.

These included internet transfers, debit orders and credit cards, as well as payments at retail stores and customer centres.

Ali said plans were underway to enable e-tag holders to make payments at ATMs.

"To this end, Sanral encourages road users to become e-toll ready by registering for an e-toll account and obtaining an e-tag to be eligible for the minimum discount benefit of 48%," he said.

For large organisations and independent groups of 50 and more, a bulk e-toll account registration and e-tag delivery option was available.

The launch came a week after the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) led a nationwide protest against the system.

Cosatu threatened to find "creative ways" to halt its implementation if the government went ahead with the e-tolling system.

Source: Sapa via I-Net Bridge