No need to re-register: Sanral

"They will be afforded an opportunity to review and accept the revised terms and conditions at that time and they will be notified of the process," the agency said in a statement.

Motorists would not be prejudiced or disadvantaged because of the revised terms and conditions. These would apply to everyone who had registered already, or who registered in future.

On Wednesday, Sanral attended a conciliation meeting at the National Consumer Commission (NCC), to discuss a complaint by the Democratic Alliance that the existing Gauteng e-toll terms and conditions were unfair.

After the meeting, the DA said road users who had registered for the system would have to re-register, as Sanral had changed the terms and conditions.

"They [Sanral] indicated that the new set of regulations will be consumer friendly. It is therefore essential for everyone to be registered under the new conditions," Democratic Alliance transport spokesman Neil Campbell said.

Terms and conditions to be revisited

Sanral said the conciliator had indicated he would respond within 14 days to the outcome of the DA's complaints.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Sanral said banking details of users would only be required if the user chose a specific payment option.

"The pre-paid option can be settled by electronic funds transfer or cash payments at an e-toll customer service centre," the agency said.

"Sanral intends to issue the revised terms and conditions after engagement with the NCC on its separate investigation and will consider its recommendations."

The agency said the revised terms and conditions would be issued before tolling started on April 30.

In preparing the revised terms and conditions, Sanral had also taken the public's concerns into account. Some people had expressed concerns over the scope of Sanral's right to request information about users from other institutions. Others questioned the process for querying toll fees payable by a user. These clauses would updated in the revised terms and conditions.

'NO', says AA

The Automobile Association (AA) said tolling should not go ahead.

"We stand by our position that funding through the fuel levy is still the cheapest option for the road user and will impact the general consumer less in terms of increased living expenses than tolling will," spokesman Gary Ronald said.

He said little time had been made available for public comment, especially during a holiday period.

"The normally acceptable notice period for public comment on South African legislation is 30 days, whereas comment on these proposed regulations has been limited to just 20 days, including the Easter public holiday and school break."

The AA suggested the period for comment be extended to the usual 30 days, and that broader communication be made to the public. The AA also questioned the need for a dedicated traffic police force committed to Sanral.

"Constituting a new traffic police force just for the benefit of Sanral could be construed as the establishment of a private army for the sole purpose of toll enforcement," he said.

Source: Sapa via I-Net Bridge