Gauteng toll system will process 2.4m electronic transactions a day

Following the user pays principle, it makes economic sense to toll Gauteng’s freeways once upgrades to the existing road network have been completed, said Alex van Niekerk, manager: toll and traffic, northern region of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral). “Tolling in Gauteng has a long history with various schemes having been discussed as possible options since 1999. The decision to implement the user pays principle will see a state-implemented toll road become a reality in coming years.” Van Niekerk said the system, which will see more than 42 gantries being erected across the freeway network, will be a world first as it will link all toll roads in the country to one account. “In Gauteng alone we are expecting to do some 2 400 000 electronic transactions every day. This system will use an e-tag which will be an on-board unit that has central clearing and is linked to a single account allowing for interoperability between all the toll roads.” Van Niekerk said while it would be challenging at first to effectively distribute tags it was the way of the future.