Toll Road Debacle

As Master Retailing are members of the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA), we often receive updates that may interest the Master Retailing followers. Herewith below the latest on the toll road fiasco:

Dear member,

On the 13^th of April 2012 the Department of Transport published the Gauteng e – toll tariffs in the Government Gazette (#35263), attached herewith. They have now introduced a new tarriff which is almost 6 times higher than the tagged user. To date, the upper limits were indicated at R0.58c per kilometre for non-tagged light vehicles and discounted rate of R0.30c for tagged users.

SANRAL have now introduced a new “alternate user” category of R1.74c per km.  This is a shocking new rate for those who do not register their vehicles on the SANRAL database.

This new category rate of R1.74c / km for the road user who chooses not to register their vehicle with SANRAL is seen as a tactic to force people to register. This is a new issue that may have to be urgently brought before the National Consumer Commissioner and will probably have implications for the engagement process that took place with the Commission last week between the DA and SANRAL. 

It is also important to note that the Gazette has made no mention of the tariff exemptions for minibus taxis and commuter busses.  In the absence of any details at this late stage, it must be assumed that they are in fact not exempt. The absence of clarity on the criteria for exemptions has further implications for both vulnerable groups (e.g. pensioners, mobility impaired).  In addition, the tourism industry which has numerous permitted vehicles and drivers similar to minibus taxi operators, have good reason to expect that they should also qualify for exemptions.   

This once again highlights SANRAL’s lack of transparency  which may further drive a wedge between the citizens of Gauteng and the authorities on the matter of e-tolls. We are continuing to urge members not to register as this matter is to still to go before the court on the 25 April.

CGCSA has engaged with SAVRALA who are one of the applicants challenging this matter, they are optimistic in the prospects of success in obtaining an interdict against e tolling coming into effect on the 30^th April 2012

We encourage all members not to be influenced by this latest move by SANRAL and to await the court outcome on the 26^th.

CGCSA will keep you posted should there be any developments.

Full details of application can be reviewed  on the website: www.outa.co.za

Happy motoring!

The Master Retailing Team