“They (the public) know the rate of today is not the rate of tomorrow. They know it is the inefficiency of a system that is saddled with high costs of e-toll collection, which enriches foreign and local companies, all of which does not disappear through a temporary reduction in the e-toll tariffs.”
Outa chairperson Wayne Duvenage expressed concern on the recent riots by citizens against governments in Brazil and other parts of the world, saying that the South African government remained oblivious to the possibility of similar incidents likely to unfold in the country.
“Such protests will be detrimental to investor confidence and our fragile economy, yet they simply continue to ignore their people on this important issue and other matters.”
Duvenage questioned the Treasury’s continuous rejection of efficient alternatives, “even at this late stage, particularly, when it is clear from their own admissions in Parliament that the fuel levy was not really considered as a funding method.”
He noted recommendations from the review commission on State-Owned Entities, which suggested that roads and other social infrastructure should not rely on user pays funding.
“There are many examples around the world where tolling fails unless it is efficient and has the support of society.”
Duvenage said the government and Sanral should take note of the e-toll debacle in Portugal. European media reported that the e-toll system in Portugal, implemented over a year and a half ago, had amounted to a “dead loss” for the country’s state-owned roads agency, Estradas de Portugal.
He said road users were prepared to pay for the Gauteng freeway upgrade, but they could do so without inefficient, costly and grossly cumbersome e-toll plan.
