Still room for negotiation on toll fee structure - Minister

The newly released toll fee structures are not necessarily set in stone, according to the Ministry of Transport. Logan Maistry, spokesman for S’bu Ndebele, Minister of Transport, told FTW that more engagement around the tariff structure of the Gauteng Open Road Tolling system would still take place. “The minister is committed to engaging with the various role-players about the gazetted toll tariff structure,” said Maistry. “It is important to draw the line and make sure people understand that the current gazetted toll fees, however, remain in place until a decision is announced otherwise. But, the minister has said there will definitely be further engagement on the toll tariffs.” According to Maistry a conference is scheduled to take place in March this year where the toll tariff structure will be discussed extensively. “The minister is listening to the various views and taking them into account,” said Maistry. “The summit is planned to allow for further engagement and discussion on the tolling system, but also to look at other pertinent issues around the construction and maintenance of our roads.” Sanral last week announced that motorists would pay 66 cents per kilometre and heavy duty trucks R3.96 a kilometre on the new Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP). This, however, is before discounts have been applied. Road users will be discounted depending on when they use the highway and how frequently they use it, while all vehicles registered with the e-tag system automatically qualify for 25% discount. The toll tariff structure has met with widespread criticism. Gavin Kelly, spokesman for the Road Freight Association, said it would no doubt increase the cost of goods and impact the economy of the entire country, while trade union Solidarity said it was nothing other than double tax. The SACP said the poor consultation processes leading to the new system were of major concern. According to Kelly, the RFA has written to both the Minister of Transport and Trade and Industry detailing its concerns around the tolling system, but has not received any feedback.