(AUDIO) 4 things you need to know about e-tolls starting in December

1. E-tolling will start on December 3, 2013

 

The e-tolling of Gauteng's highways will begin on December 3, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters said on Wednesday.

 

"We thank those who already have e-tags," she told reporters in Pretoria.

 

She said those without tags would pay double the amount, and would not benefit from the discounts.

 

Peters said systems were in place to ensure the system functioned, and the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) was capable of this responsibility.

 

Electronic tolling would contribute to the fight against licence plate cloning and reduce congestion, she said.

 

Sanral CEO Nazir Alli said a debt collection process had been started, and motorists would receive a bill after seven days. If they ignored repeated reminders to pay, they would get a summons.

 

Government-owned vehicles were not exempted from e-tolling, he said.

 

 

2. Visitors to Gauteng will also have to pay

 

SA National Roads Agency Ltd (Sanral) spokesman Vusi Mona said motorists visiting Gauteng could pay within seven days without registering an e-toll account, or register an account, or purchase a day pass.

 

"If a road-user does not want to register an e-toll account or purchase a day pass, the e-toll fees may be paid at an e-toll customer service centre by calling the e-toll call centre... or online," he said.

 

"In this case it will be required that the road user provide his vehicle licence plate number."

 

The "occasional road user" could buy the day pass from Sanral's website by calling it or visiting a service centre.

 

"Please note that a day pass cannot be obtained from a retailer," Mona said.

 

For motorcycle riders a day pass would cost R30, for car drivers R50, small heavy vehicles R125, and large heavy vehicles R250.

 

 

3. The fight against e-tolling isn't over

 

The DA has vowed to continue with its fight against e-tolling, waiting for a court date to challenge the constitutionality of the bill.

 

 

Chairman of the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance, Wayne Duvenage, said he sees an administrative nightmare on the horizon.

 

 

 

4. The petrol price is expected to increase for December

 

Economists.co.za's Mike Schussler is predicting a slight increase in the petrol price adjustment for December.

 

 

Re-Balance Chief Economist Chris Harmse said the implementation of e-tolling will have a far reaching impact.

 

 

                 

- Jacanews / Sapa