Johannesburg - The government is misleading the public about the size of e-tolling bills, the opposition Democratic Alliance charged on Thursday.
Democratic Alliance Gauteng premier candidate Mmusi Maimane said in a statement: "It's hard to believe that more than 80% of users carrying an e-tag will pay only R100 (maximum) per month."
PRICEY CALCULATIONS
According to the Government Gazette on e-toll tariffs published on Wednesday, 82.7% of road users (Class A2) would pay a maximum of R100 a month if they were registered as e-tag users. The DA said a driver travelling from Daveyton to Johannesburg would pass through at least five gantries on a return trip, at an approximate cost of R13.92 a day. This amounted to R69.60 in a five-day week, and R278.40 a month. These prices are calculated based on the 49.5c/km rate for e-tag holders.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed an Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance appeal against the implementation of e-tolls by the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral). The DA said that, travelling between Alexandra and Centurion, a user would pass through at least six gantries at an approximate cost of R17.31 a day, R86.55 a week, R346.20 a month.
From Soweto to Midrand, a driver would pass through at least 11 gantries on a return trip, at an approximate cost of R29.64 a day (R622 a month) and so reach the maximum payment of R400 a month. For a commute between Tembisa and Germiston, a vehicle would pass through at least four gantries on a return trip, at an approximate cost of R14.40 a day, R72 a week, R288 a month.
Maimane said government communication and information service acting CEO Phumla Williams's remarks about e-tolls at a Cabinet briefing on Thursday showed how out of touch the government was with Gauteng residents. Maimane said:
"Her appeal for people to show good citizenship and pay for e-tolling is a slap in the face for ordinary South Africans who struggle to get by on a daily basis."
Maimane vowed to halt the process if elected premier of Gauteng.
Earlier, at the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry's annual convention, transport minister Dipuo Peter said: "The politicisation of e-tolls, specifically the user-pays principle, does not help anyone. It doesn't help us to play politics with infrastructure development."
Right, says Wheels24, but who is playing a game with voters' wallets?
Sanral says its prices are accurate.
Back to main story.
Democratic Alliance Gauteng premier candidate Mmusi Maimane said in a statement: "It's hard to believe that more than 80% of users carrying an e-tag will pay only R100 (maximum) per month."
PRICEY CALCULATIONS
According to the Government Gazette on e-toll tariffs published on Wednesday, 82.7% of road users (Class A2) would pay a maximum of R100 a month if they were registered as e-tag users. The DA said a driver travelling from Daveyton to Johannesburg would pass through at least five gantries on a return trip, at an approximate cost of R13.92 a day. This amounted to R69.60 in a five-day week, and R278.40 a month. These prices are calculated based on the 49.5c/km rate for e-tag holders.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed an Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance appeal against the implementation of e-tolls by the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral). The DA said that, travelling between Alexandra and Centurion, a user would pass through at least six gantries at an approximate cost of R17.31 a day, R86.55 a week, R346.20 a month.
From Soweto to Midrand, a driver would pass through at least 11 gantries on a return trip, at an approximate cost of R29.64 a day (R622 a month) and so reach the maximum payment of R400 a month. For a commute between Tembisa and Germiston, a vehicle would pass through at least four gantries on a return trip, at an approximate cost of R14.40 a day, R72 a week, R288 a month.
Maimane said government communication and information service acting CEO Phumla Williams's remarks about e-tolls at a Cabinet briefing on Thursday showed how out of touch the government was with Gauteng residents. Maimane said:
"Her appeal for people to show good citizenship and pay for e-tolling is a slap in the face for ordinary South Africans who struggle to get by on a daily basis."
Maimane vowed to halt the process if elected premier of Gauteng.
Earlier, at the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry's annual convention, transport minister Dipuo Peter said: "The politicisation of e-tolls, specifically the user-pays principle, does not help anyone. It doesn't help us to play politics with infrastructure development."
Right, says Wheels24, but who is playing a game with voters' wallets?
Sanral says its prices are accurate.
Back to main story.