Toll tariffs price hike effective next month
The tariffs are adjusted annually in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as obtained from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). The CPI percentage that was applied to determine the 1 March 2021 tariff adjustment is 5%.
Sanral’s general manager for communications Vusi Mona, says: “We use the inflation rate as a guide so that the toll tariffs remain the same in real terms, meaning there is effectively no increase to the rate from when the initial toll tariff that was implemented.”
Sanral said the following in its statement: “Discounts offered at specific toll plazas for frequent users as well as qualifying local users still apply. Application for discounts can be made at the various toll plaza offices nationwide. Through Sanral, the department of transport uses tolling selectively to implement major road infrastructure projects and ensure seamless mobility of vehicles on the national road network.”
The agency also said that 13% of the country's 22,253km road network constituted toll roads.
Toll roads allow for the borrowing of capital to develop road infrastructure when it is required, rather than having to wait until funds are available from an already strained fiscus, according to Sanral. Toll monies are applied to maintain, operate and improve toll roads, as well as to service the debt incurred to implement a toll road project.
The cost in the event of delayed maintenance on roads can be up to 18 times higher than it would have been if routine preventative maintenance was undertaken. Tolls are user charge and are paid only by those that make use of the road.