Truckers’ make last ditch appeal over permit hikes

The issue of the recent massive cost hike for cross-border permits – condemned by road transporters as being “fatal” – has still not been remedied, despite extensive appeals by the truckers. And they see it as a dual problem. Not only did the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (CBRTA) hike up the cost of these permits, but it is now also demanding one permit for each country. Applicable from April 1, the cost, for example, of a 12-month new/ renewal permit for Freight Class 2 (the classification into which the standard cross-border truck fits) now costs R5 720, a 239.88% increase over the previous cost of R1 690. Transporters have complained to FTW that this level of price increase is very likely to put a number of companies out of business. It is particularly critical for those in the small-medium category, where cash flow is often a vital factor, and margins already slim, and such a double whammy could very easily spell the end of the road. Gavin Kelly, technical and operations manager of the Road Freight Association (RFA), told FTW that members were extremely frustrated at the lack of a positive response from the agency and the minister of transport – despite promises that the matter would be dealt with. “There are various legal moves we could follow,” he said, “but we are trying to avoid court because of the enormous cost.” The last-minute plan is to arrange a meeting with the deputy minister of transport and the CEO of the CBRTA to try to solve the issue on an out-of-court basis.