Vehement opposition greets CBRTA’s latest tariff hike

The Road Freight Association (RFA) is calling for the closing down of the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (CBRTA). This follows yet another proposed tariff increase by the agency that was established by government to regulate and boost crossborder road transport. “We do not see any point in the CBRTA and believe it should be closed down,” RFA spokesman Gavin Kelly told FTW. On November 19 the CBRTA gazetted its intention to increase tariffs through the amendment of the Cross Border Road Transport Act. “We are not interested in any increases and will oppose what the CBRTA intends to do,” said Kelly, who has called on RFA members to send comments to him by no later than December 10. “We will consolidate the responses and forward these to the CBRTA and the Minister of Transport by December 12.” He said the CBRTA had once again displayed its intention by publishing a closing date after December 16 – a period when most administrative components of companies would have closed for the festive season. In 2010 the CBRTA announced massive increases of some 43% in permit tariffs as well as increased penalty fees. The RFA at the time successfully opposed the implementation of these tariffs and Kelly said all attempts would be made to do the same during this round of tariff increases. “They are yet again proposing high increases and from the responses that we have received so far, the industry is not in favour of it. We are not going to just accept this,” he said. INSERT & CAPTION We do not see any point in the CBRTA and believe it should be closed down. – Gavin Kelly