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Drivers are not looking at the benefits of e-tolling in Gauteng, says SA National Roads Agency chief executive Nazir Ali. He believes 83% of drivers will only pay R100 month... do you?
Sanral chief executive Nazir Ali believes it is unfortunate that commentators are not looking at the benefits of e-tolling in Gauteng.
Video: Why e-tolls make no sense - must watch!
Speaking at a New Age business breakfast in Midrand, Ali said: "If you do calculations in terms of the loss of production, the wear-and-tear on your car, vehicle operation costs which increase, the pollution we are creating... Once you take that into account the benefits far outweigh the tariffs publicised earlier in 2013.
"South Africans are law-abiding citizens. They will abide by the law and get tagged."
Ali said that since South African president Jacob Zuma signed the Bill providing for e-tolls the number of e-tags purchased had increased. Sanral claims that a total of 600 000 e-toll tags are in circulation.
Ali said said that 83% of drivers would only be paying R100 a month for e-tolling and that the media had been exaggerating the numbers: "Less than one percent of people will actually reach R450 (the maximum amount for tolling) a month. About 84% of our business is non-tolling, only 16% of our business is a toll road portfolio. That toll road portfolio does make a large contribution to the well-being of our entire national road network."
MAINTAINING SA'S ROADS
Ali said 75% of freight in South African moved on Gauteng roads. "Can we for one moment just imagine what, if we didn't have a good national road network, what would happen to the economy? Of course, together with that goes the old issue about job creation, (and) the development of SMME's (small, medium and micro enterprises)."
Sanral had 800 SMMEs maintaining SA's road network, he said.
DATA CALCULATIONS
Earlier in 2013, Wheels24 reported that Sanral released data from its toll system. Of the 2.5-million vehicles checked, only 4700 would have reached the R450-a-month cap, according to the agency's data,
Sanral’s communications manager Vusi Mona said: "So much for the scare stories that have been doing the rounds! If you're one of those paying the maximum amount, you will have travelled through 301 gantries and done an average of 2760km during the month on the e-tolled roads. That is, of course, if you are fitted with an e-tag and have an up-to-date registered account.
"If not, it will cost almost double."
This is what Sanral’s plate recognition system says drivers will pay monthly:
• 82.83% will pay less than R100
• 10.10% will pay R101 - R200
• 1.82% will pay R201 - R300
• 0.59% will pay R300 - R450
Do you agree with Ali's sentiments? Have figures been exaggerated? Email us and we'll publish your thoughts or use the Readers' Comments section below...
Sanral chief executive Nazir Ali believes it is unfortunate that commentators are not looking at the benefits of e-tolling in Gauteng.
Video: Why e-tolls make no sense - must watch!
Speaking at a New Age business breakfast in Midrand, Ali said: "If you do calculations in terms of the loss of production, the wear-and-tear on your car, vehicle operation costs which increase, the pollution we are creating... Once you take that into account the benefits far outweigh the tariffs publicised earlier in 2013.
"South Africans are law-abiding citizens. They will abide by the law and get tagged."
Ali said that since South African president Jacob Zuma signed the Bill providing for e-tolls the number of e-tags purchased had increased. Sanral claims that a total of 600 000 e-toll tags are in circulation.
Ali said said that 83% of drivers would only be paying R100 a month for e-tolling and that the media had been exaggerating the numbers: "Less than one percent of people will actually reach R450 (the maximum amount for tolling) a month. About 84% of our business is non-tolling, only 16% of our business is a toll road portfolio. That toll road portfolio does make a large contribution to the well-being of our entire national road network."
MAINTAINING SA'S ROADS
Ali said 75% of freight in South African moved on Gauteng roads. "Can we for one moment just imagine what, if we didn't have a good national road network, what would happen to the economy? Of course, together with that goes the old issue about job creation, (and) the development of SMME's (small, medium and micro enterprises)."
Sanral had 800 SMMEs maintaining SA's road network, he said.
DATA CALCULATIONS
Earlier in 2013, Wheels24 reported that Sanral released data from its toll system. Of the 2.5-million vehicles checked, only 4700 would have reached the R450-a-month cap, according to the agency's data,
Sanral’s communications manager Vusi Mona said: "So much for the scare stories that have been doing the rounds! If you're one of those paying the maximum amount, you will have travelled through 301 gantries and done an average of 2760km during the month on the e-tolled roads. That is, of course, if you are fitted with an e-tag and have an up-to-date registered account.
"If not, it will cost almost double."
This is what Sanral’s plate recognition system says drivers will pay monthly:
• 82.83% will pay less than R100
• 10.10% will pay R101 - R200
• 1.82% will pay R201 - R300
• 0.59% will pay R300 - R450
Do you agree with Ali's sentiments? Have figures been exaggerated? Email us and we'll publish your thoughts or use the Readers' Comments section below...
