Sanral has instituted a complex system of calculating the toll charges for Gauteng, with a system of discounts which depend on the time of day you use the highway, whether or not you have an electronic (e-tag) number plate (which makes the difference between 66 cents per km and 49 cents) and whether you are a frequent user.
The following calculations are based on the calculator found on Sanral's website: www.sanral.co.za/tollcalc.
Someone driving to work from Soweto to Sandton will pay R52.50 a day without an e-tag. Without an e-tag, there are no discounts.
With an e-tag, the motorist will pay R39.37 a day or R787.50 over a 20-day working month. Over a year, you'll pay R7264.69 or an average of R605 a month.
Because Sanral's discount system is based on the amount spent the previous month, it is variable, but you can expect to get between 15 percent and 37.5 percent slashed off your monthly bill.
Someone travelling from Sandton to Pretoria (more, more commonly, Pretoria to Sandton) can expect to pay at least R45.40 a day or R908 a 20-day month with normal number plates.
With an e-tag, that figure is reduced to R681 a month. Over the full year, the motorist will pay R6 639.75, or an average R553.31 a month, after all the discounts have been applied.