Swartruggens - Transport Minister Dipuo Peters on Tuesday in person encouraged local road users in North West to register for a discount at the Swartruggens toll plaza on the N4 freeway.
“This is for local people to register so that they can get a discount up to 75 percent at the toll plaza when they use the road. The discount is for all. It is not for whites or blacks,” the minister said in Swartruggens.
She said the discount was the result of a campaign by the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) in the North West, the SA Communist Party, the ANC and civil organisations for the rate to be cut for local users.
The Swartruggens toll plaza, which is on the N4 between Zeerust and Rustenburg, is regarded as the most expensive in the country.
Cosatu’s North West branch wanted the R75 toll fee for light vehicles to be reduced to R20.
“We are happy that our fight for a cheaper toll gate was not in vain. This is the first phase. The second phase will see motorists paying R58,” said Cosatu North West provincial secretary Solly Phetoe.
He said he was happy that Peters had refused to increase the toll fee here since 2013.
“The toll fee could have been R125 for a light vehicle if the minister did not refuse to increase the toll fee… We settled for R58 for all vehicle classes, we are waiting for a response, it is better although it is still high for the poor workers,” he said.
Motorists residing in Kgetlengrivier municipality qualify for a 75 percent discount at the the tollgate, while those in Ramotshere Moloa qualify for 15 percent discount.
To register for a discount you need to present an identity document, proof of residence and vehicle registration number.
The discounts were determined by the area of residence and distance of toll road usage, for instance people residing in the heart of Swartruggens qualify for 95 percent discount according to pamphlets distributed to motorists.
Motorist Rose-Marry Moilwane said it was not fair that only local road users would pay a discount at the tollgate.
“I think there should be a discount for users who travel frequently on this road. I use this road at least six times a day. Every time I pay R75. I know people who travel from Rustenburg to Mahikeng on daily basis. If there is a discount for frequent users it will be better to minimise our cost,” she said.
ANA