There are still “some difficulties” that need to be addressed before the Gauteng e-tolls can be implemented‚ Business Unity SA (Busa) said on Friday.
This followed comments by government that e-tolls would go ahead as planned as the state agency spearheading the tolls‚ the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral)‚ needed to recoup monies invested in the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project.
“There remains widespread criticism of the impact which e-tolling will have on the regional and national economy and it is important to use the time available to ensure that confidence is built in the final decisions before they are implemented‚” Busa said.
Following widespread complaints over the implementation of the tolls‚ authorities decided on a 30 day period to further consult with stakeholders before the final tariffs were announced.
Busa said it believed further opportunities to interrogate the decision-making process would also lie in the high court hearing on November 26 and the public hearings to be held by the parliamentary portfolio committee on transport.
Opposition parties noted on Thursday the gazetting of the e-toll terms and conditions‚ including updated tariffs‚ but were still opposed to its implementation. - I-Net Bridge