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 We still receive many comments on the original article alerting people to the new electronic toll gate system which will affect freeway users of Johannesburg, Pretoria / Tshwane and East Rand / Ekhuruleni. The project by SANRAL and the National Roads Agency NRA known officially as the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project GFIP looks full steam ahead and drivers of the Ben Schoeman / N1 and other highways around Johannesburg will already have noticed the shiny white metal structures that have gone up over the roads. These white structures (pictured left) are the electronic toll gates or gantry's as they are termed in the project documentation also known as E-Toll "See the Bigger Picture" ... but their catch phrase should read "See the Bigger Bank Balance". There are 42 toll points (gantries) on the Gauteng e-tolling network. The choice to erect 42 gantries allows for the toll fees to be contributed fairly by all those that use the road.
Already SANRAL and the NRA have started their radio advertising (brainwashing) campaigns to try and get people to believe that paying toll on roads their taxes have already paid for is actually a good thing. One of the claims of why we need this new system is that it will cut out fraudulent number plates but knowing how this country operates (anything has a price) anyone with half a brain cell can deduce that that is just not going to be the case. What WILL be the case is that the South African Taxpayer who is already pushed to the limit will now have to fork out approximately 50c per kilometer of road (last estimate from SANRAL and NRA as yet unconfirmed) that they travel to get to work.
When South African's DID have a chance to comment and object to the application, hardly a soul lodged comment but now that the system is just a few months from going live everyone seems to be waking up and complaining but it's a tad late now and already Billions of Rands have been spent. This means love it or hate it the GFIP is not going anywhere anytime soon. Gauteng drivers will be forced to get new registration plates for their vehicles and pay for them of course. At the same time as getting your new license plates you will have the choice of surrendering your banking details to the state so that you literally have the money deducted from your banking account as you pass through each toll gantry. You then also have the option, according to their radio ad, of buying prepaid toll which will probably be slightly more expensive once again trying to lure people into surrendering their banking details to the government so they may take as they please.
Will it stop there? I seriously doubt it. My natural untrusting suspicious nature of this government says that they have the ability to record what time you passed through tollgate A and what time you passed through tollgate B, they know your registration number from your shiny new electronic license plate, they know where you live and they will be able to tell that you were speeding between tollgate A and B and also exactly what speed you were doing. But will they be abel to simply take the money for the fine from your account? I doubt it because everyone has a right to defend themselves in a court of law. I do however see them automatically recording the offence and deducting points from your allocated points on the new AARTO system. They will then post you the fine and if you fail to pay by the due date they will automatically TAKE the money from your banking account that you so willingly surrendered to them in the name of convenience.
Where are the gantry's and what roads are affected? (map)
Gantries are placed in the following locations, most are already in place and being wired up.
Rigel Off-Ramp / On-Ramp (Centurion, Tshwane)
Exit and Entry to R21 from N1 (Centurion, Tshwane)
Botha / Irene Off-Ramp / On-Ramp (Centurion, Tshwane)
John Vorster On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (Centurion, Tshwane)
Old Johannesburg Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (Ben Schoeman Highway Midrand/Centurion)
Samrand Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (Samrand / Midrand)
Olifantsfontein On-ramp / Off-Ramp (Ben Schoeman Highway Midrand)
New Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (Ben Schoeman Highway Midrand)
Entrance / Exit to Ben Schoeman Highway Before Allandale Road (Buccluech / Ben Schoeman Highway Midrand)
Marlboro Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N3/N1 Sandton)
London Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N3/N1 Alexandra)
Modderfontein Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N3/N1 Edenvale)
Linksfield Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N3/N1 Edenvale)
Entrance / Exit to R21 from N3/N1 (Gillooly's Interchange / Edenvale)
Jet Park / OR Tambo Airport (R21 Jet Park / Kempton Park)
Rondebult Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (R21 Boksburg / East Rand)
Atlas Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (R21 Boksburg / Benoni / East Rand)
Griffiths Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (R21 Edenvale)
Barbara Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (R21 Edenvale)
Between Bapsfontein and Birchleigh On-Ramps / Off-Ramps (R21 Pomona / Bapsfontein / Birchleigh)
Olifantsfontein On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (R21 to Pretoria)
Nelmapius Road On-Ramp and Off-Ramp (R21 to Pretoria)
Rivonia Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp AND Exits to Rivonia Road (N1 Western Bypass Rivonia / Sandton)
William Nicol Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N1 Western Bypass Fourways)
Malibongwe Drive / Hans Strijdom Rd On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N1 Western Bypass Randburg)
Beyers Baude On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N1 Western Bypass Northcliff)
14th Avenue On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N1 Western Bypass Northcliff Roodepoort)
Gordon Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N1 Western Bypass Roodepoort)
Maraisburg Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N1 Western Bypass)
Diepsloot On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N1 Western Bypass Soweto)
Golden Highway Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N1 Western Bypass Soweto)
Columbine Avenue On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N12 Southern Bypass Aeroton / Southgate / Southern Suburbs)
Comaro Street On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N12 Southern Bypass / Glenanda / Johannesburg)
Voortrekker Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N12 Southern Bypass / Alberton / Johannesburg)
Geldenhuys Interchange (N3 Eastern Bypass Johannesburg / Germiston / Ehkurhuleni)
Van Buuren Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N3 Eastern Bypass Bedfordview / Edenvale)
Rand Airport Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N3 Germiston Ekurhuleni)
Wits Rifles Road On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N3 Germiston Ekurhuleni)
Grey Avenue On-Ramp / Off-Ramp (N3 Germiston / Dinwiddie / Albermarle / Alberton)
... that's it ..... FOR NOW !!!!! (Watch this space)
What about visitors to Gauteng?
According to the NRA web site - "Road signs will warn visitors to Gauteng to phone or visit the Customer Care centre to register or to obtain a Day Pass. Should a road user make use of the network without registering, they will receive an invoice and be given a set time to pay the toll fees. Should the toll fees not be paid within the set period, additional debt collection and enforcement actions will take place."
What about Costs and Discounts?
Once again according to the NRA web site - "Toll tariffs have NOT been set yet. In 2007 the estimated toll tariff was identified as 50c per kilometre, however, the toll tariffs and the discount structures have not been finalised yet, as SANRAL is busy updating the financial model of the project (this is the ‘tool’ used to determine the toll tariffs).
Discounts
SANRAL is considering discounts for e-tag holders that are frequent users, as well as time of the day discounts – this would be applicable for light vehicles. SANRAL is also considering discounts for public transport vehicles on specific routes where commuter services are provided."
When and How?
Again from the NRA web site:
"SANRAL will request that road users register their vehicles for e-tolling. Road users will have the option to either be recognised by their number plates, or by an e-tag. e-Toll account registration will be user friendly and road users will have the option to register through a website, at an e-toll kiosk located at a mall, e-toll customer services centre situated along the freeway network, phoning in to the call centre, or buying an e-tag at retail outlets that can be used immediately.The e-tag is supplied by SANRAL. It will be at no cost to the user. However, if the user elects to obtain an e- tag, the user will need to deposit a minimum credit (will be specified by SANRAL) into the user’s e-tolling account. However, this credit, will then allow the road user free toll passes in the same amount.
The e-tolling account that road users link to their vehicle can be set up as a pre-paid account with the Transaction Clearing House and money can be paid into this account via various options (retail outlets, the internet, at an e-toll kiosk, ATMs, e-toll customer services centres etc), or road users can link their e-tolling account to their own credit card account. More than one vehicle can be linked to your e-tolling account.Bakwena e-tag holders do not need to re-register their account. Their accounts will automatically be migrated to the new e-tolling system.
e-Tags can be used at any toll plaza/point that display the e-tag symbol. Therefore, as more electronic tolling is implemented countrywide at existing or new toll plazas, users do not need to set up a new or additional account.Registration will commence in the beginning of 2011. SANRAL will announce the opening of registration in the media.
... Pass me the vaseline !!!
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Comments
Glad to be moving out of this City sooooon!
People should not install the transponders but still use the highways and force the government to issue accounts and summonses to all motorists until such time they drop the prices. The government will be forced to send out millions of accounts every month and they don't have the man power to do it. This is the best and easiest way to boycott the system. What is the government going to do about motorists from other neighbouring countries that don't have these transponders?
South Africans are too complacent and its time we fight back. WE have paid for these roads. Now they are also proposing a 1% tax to fund SABC. If two people are working in one house hold how much is it going to cost?? Where is it going to stop?
Circulate this to all your friends!!!!!!!!
Has anyone thought just how much tax we are already paying?
a. 35% on your salary
b.14% on everything you buy (bar fresh produce) and services rendered.
c. Carbon tax if you buy a new car (besides the 14% VAT you have to pay)
d. Tax on the fuel you put in your car to run it.
e. Toll on our roads – and for some it is going to come to a whopper of 10% of your salary (If you earn R10 000.00 a R1 000 would go toward tolling if you migrate between PTA and JHB every day.) – Bully to try and pacify me with the idea that I can claim it back from my income tax!!! I have to fork out the money first. Going on holiday to DBN? Remember to save up your R1000.00 for tolling.
To say the least – For every R10.00 you earn, the government is already taking approx R6.00 and still they want more. Are you happy with the R4.00 you are getting?
Don't be fooled !!!
The ANC is just delaying this until after the elections, then they will implement the tolling and basically say F*** YOU to all South African taxpayers who have paid for the roads already ..... they are nothing but lying scumbags. Don't believe one word out of their mouths.
Why bother? Let them bill you. We are over 11Million people to arrest. Go figure...
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