JMCCI slams proposed peak hour truck ban

Alan Peat
A SURVEY by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JMCCI) has come down heavily against the Gauteng government's proposed ban on trucks on freeways during peak hours, suggesting that this would further reduce the already internationally low efficiency rating of the SA road transport industry.
A high percentage (68%) of respondents to the survey believe their businesses would be adversely affected by such a ban with 48% envisaging increased transport costs as a consequence.
The "Moving SA" report of 1998 has highlighted the fact that Johannesburg road haulage already compares poorly with international benchmarks on both service and cost. This due to high maintenance, insurance, and financing costs.
"A ban on heavy-duty truck deliveries/collections during peak hours will further increase costs," said the Chamber.
"As transport costs are passed on to consumers and affect international price competitiveness, any action taken by the Gauteng government that may exacerbate the situation is cause for justified alarm."
Moving SA supports the industry contention that government is aiming at the wrong target, according to the Chamber's Marius de Jager.
"Even though 80% of freight moves by road," he told FTW, "heavy vehicles make up less than 5% of traffic on major routes.
"Our survey respondents identified various other causes they believe are responsible for congestion:
l Poor maintenance of road and traffic lights;
l Trucks that are underpowered for their loads;
l A lack of respect for road rules;
l An absence of active policing of traffic violations."