Gauteng Toll Roads

[Paul (Pepe) Freemantle]

Johannesburg - Tariffs Gazetted for the tolling of Gauteng highways will be suspended until further notice, Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebelesaid on Tuesday.
A panel of experts would be appointed to explore options in order to reduce the toll burden on road users, he told reporters in Kempton Park.
It comes after a meeting with Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane.

A panel of experts, made up of representatives from the transport department, the SA National Roads Agency Limited and the Gauteng government, will also review the financial model on which the R20bn transaction was based.

"The premier and I agree on the principle of tolling. Government reiterates its commitment to fully honouring the terms of the loan agreement for this transaction," said Ndebele.

"We will be engaging with the investors to keep them in the loop and assure them that we remain fully committed to the repayment of the R20bn loan."

Mokonyane said it would be unfair to say that government took long before re-acting to concerns.

A structured process of consultation and one for input from the public on the cost structure and financial model will soon be announced.

"South Africans can be best assured that government is doing everything possible to resolve this matter in a manner that will be in the best interest of the commuter, road user and the state for future development and management of our road infrastructure in the country," Mokonyane said.

Consultations would at most take a month, before the rolling out of the toll system in June.

"We need to give commuters options," she said.

Tempers flared after it was announced that in June it will cost 66c/km at the 42 electronic toll gates erected on the N1, N3, N12, N17, R21 and R24.

The tolls cover a distance of about 185km.

Concern was raised by businesses, labour and political parties, about the effect toll fees will have on the poor, the economy and alternative routes.
- SAPA

[Paul (Pepe) Freemantle]

Johannesburg - The Democratic Alliance said on Wednesday it was delighted the gazette relating to toll fees for the Gauteng Freeway Improvement project had been suspended.

"This is a victory for democracy and for members of the public," said DA spokesperson roads and transport in Gauteng Neil Campbell.

"I am encouraged that transport minister Sbu Ndebele has indicated that he will form a broad consultation forum and I urge him to include all interested and affected parties."

The original announcement of the fees - where it was reported motorists could pay up to 66c per kilometre to use tolled roads - prompted a public outcry.

The ANC and its ally, Cosatu, also voiced concern.

Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele on Tuesday announced that the tariffs were suspended until further notice.

The suspension of the tariffs did not mean a change in the rolling out of the system in June, leaving only three months to deliberate and come to conclusion.

This came after a meeting with Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane.

- SAPA

[SandyB]

THE DOUBLE EDGED  SWORD ... ACTUALLY A MOTORING ARTICLE BUT ALWAYS WITH  A  POLITICOECONOMIC TWIST .. HA HA 
I GAVE IT THE TITLE OF FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS  , SO APPROPRIATE ..

THE BURNING QUESTION HERE IS WHERE  IS THE FUND FOR BUILDING ROADS THAT IS A PART OF OUR HUGE  FUEL PRICE ?? THE WEAK EXCUSE THEY NORMALLY GIVE IS A " WHINE WHINGE  ( BLOODY SHITSTIRRERS WHY THEY KEEP ON ASKING EBARRASING QUESTIONS ?? )  "  >>>>   " WE CANNOT RINGFENCE THE FUNDS "  NOW TELL ME  IT REQUIRES NO FINANCIAL WHIZZKID  TO BE ABLE TO RINGFENCE FUNDS .. PROB IS THEY DONT  WANT ACCOUNTABILITY OF  CADRES  SO THEREFORE JUST HAVE ONE HUGE SLUSH FUND AND BLAME ANYTHING  THAT GOES WRONG ON APARTHEID   

[Paul (Pepe) Freemantle]

Thanks for that posting Sandy and interesting to read. What comes to my mind is the following. FIFA gave I don't know how many Millions to help with the upgrading of stadiums and roads. Where has that money gone to?