As registration for e-tags ahead of the implementation of open road tolling began last week, the Southern African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association spelt out some of the issues that still required clarity.
“While Savrala has been unsuccessful in scheduling follow-up meetings with the South African National Roads Agency Limited to review their many outstanding issues, we are encouraging both individuals and companies to carefully consider the following before registering for an e-tag," a spokesman said.
* The final schedule of toll tariffs and discounts from both Sanral and the Department of Transport has yet to be published in the Government Gazette despite various communications on the Cabinet’s tariff decisions.
* Despite ongoing requests for clarity and more detail, it remains unknown how Sanral intends to prosecute road users who do not pay toll fees. It seems impractical and would most likely overburden the already strained judicial system if each individual who did not pay their fees was to be prosecuted.
* Currently no documented processes or systems are in place to resolve incorrect toll transactions caused by false (cloned) vehicle licence plates.
This puts the responsibility and the added cost onto individuals and companies to ensure they have the necessary resources available to reconcile their Sanral toll bills against their own vehicle/fleet movements.
* The current e-tag Terms and Conditions available on the Sanral website could be considered onerous and clearly place the responsibility of ensuring accounts have sufficient funds available on the registered e-tag user, as clause 22 requires a registered e-tag user to pay all fees and charges, irrespective of any dispute they may have over charges. This means the clause must be interpreted in the context of the risk of illegally cloned licence plates as GFIP (Gauteng Freeway Improvement Plan) road users (as per clause 5) will be liable for all toll transactions recorded according to the user’s VLN (Motor Vehicle Licence Plate Number) or its e-tag.
* No details have been made available yet to explain the criteria for exemption of commuter buses and minibus taxis. Depending on the definition of the criteria, many tourism-related transport services may also be exempt.
To date no explanation exists on how Sanral will accurately maintain and enforce the validity of the various permits and routes.
