MEC unmoved by opposition to tolls

2012-02-28 18:27

Johannesburg - Putting Gauteng tolls into operation should not be affected by the DA's opposition, Transport MEC Ismail Vadi said on Tuesday.

"I'm not concerned," he said in Johannesburg responding to reports of the Democratic Alliance taking the matter to court.

He said Cabinet had given enough time for public consultation and felt Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan should be commended for the R5.8bn contribution to toll costs via the fiscus to the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral).

"I think we have met the public halfway. I think opposition parties are just now being foolish," Vadi said.

Last week, government spokesperson Jimmy Manyi said Gauteng toll fees were set to become a fact of life and the law and the government would tolerate no disobedience.

He advised freeway-users in the province to go out and buy their e-tags, the use of which allowed drivers a discount on the fees charged.

"This is not just a bad dream; it's a reality, it's going to happen. No one should have any illusion whatsoever that this thing is going to go away. It's a fact of life and it's going to happen," Manyi said.

With effect from April 30, motorcycles with e-tags would pay 20c/kilometre and those without, 38c.

Light motor vehicles would pay 30c and 58c respectively, and non-articulated trucks 75c and R1.45.

Articulated trucks with e-tags would pay R1.51/km and those without R2.90.

Under the new fee system, the cost for motorcycles and light vehicles would be capped at R550/month.

- SAPA