Toll tariffs for Gauteng's freeways could be between five and nine cents per kilometre cheaper for cars, minibuses and motorbikes with e-tags, according to new proposed fees released in Johannesburg today.
The reduced charges would be submitted to the government for consideration, director general of the Gauteng freeway improvement project steering committee George Mahlalela told reporters.
According to the proposals users of light motor vehicles would pay R0.40/km instead of R0.49/km, minibus taxi drivers R0.11/km instead of R0.16 and bikers R0.24 instead of R0.30/km. These proposed numbers only apply to people using e-tags.
The initial tariff announced was R0.66/km for vehicles without an e-tag account. It was not clear if this figure would change as well. It was also not indicated what road users from other provinces would pay.
An e-tag works much like pre-paid cellphone airtime, fits on the front windscreen of a vehicle and is scanned by toll gantries.
For medium vehicles, the toll fee was reduced from R1.49/km to R1 and for large vehicles from R2.97 to R2. For commuter buses the cost would be reduced from R0.50/km to R0.36.
“We have listened to and taken on board what stakeholders said, and now are in a position to make our recommendations,” Mahlalela said.
They would be made to the transport and finance ministers, as well as the Gauteng premier. They will then make a pronouncement on the matter, with Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele expected to make a final announcement.
After a public outcry over the proposed tariffs and their effect on the economy and people's pockets, Ndebele appointed the committee in February to come up with other options.
Mahlalela said several meetings between interested parties and the committee took place between March 24 and April 6 this year. Submissions from the public were also received. -Sapa