‘The only way to escape e-toll system...’

25/04/2012 Members of COSATU marching to the Department of Transport offices in Pretoria to submit their memorandum that proposes the banning the e-Tolling system. Picture: Phill Magakoe

25/04/2012 Members of COSATU marching to the Department of Transport offices in Pretoria to submit their memorandum that proposes the banning the e-Tolling system. Picture: Phill Magakoe

Published Apr 27, 2012

Share

Government needs to cancel the toll collection contract with the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) Consortium, the Democratic Alliance said on Friday.

“This is the only way to escape the exorbitant and unworkable e-toll system that has caused so much protest in Gauteng,” said DA spokesman Jack Bloom.

He estimated that R11 billion would be spent on the contract over eight years and R6.6 billion would be saved if it was cancelled.

“Damages would have to be paid for capital already spent and for lost profits, but cancelling is still cheaper than continuing with this contract,” he said.

The implementation of the e-tolling system on Gauteng's highways was postponed for a month by the transport department and SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) on Thursday.

The announcement was made by transport director general George Mahlalela, just hours after the African National Congress and the Congress of SA Trade Unions said they would ask the government for a month-long delay.

E-tolling was to have been implemented on 185 kilometres of highway in Johannesburg and Tshwane on Monday. - Sapa

Related Topics: