Cabinet approves toll tariffs for Gauteng Freeway
11 Aug 2011
Cabinet approved toll tariffs for the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) phase A1 yesterday, 10 August 2011 and agreed that the Minister of Transport gives effect to the approval in terms of the South African National Roads Agency Limited and National Roads Act, 1998 (Act No.7 of 1998), as set out as follows:
- Motorcycles (Class A1) 24c/km
- Light (Class A2) 40c/km
- Medium vehicles (Class B) 100c/km
- Longer vehicles (Class C) 200c/km and
- Qualifying commuter taxis (Class A2) and commuter busses (Class B) are exempted.
The implementation of further phases of the GFIP will now be re-assessed, including by the newly announced Presidential Commission on Infrastructure. The re-assessment will involve discussions on infrastructure strategic priorities, on how best to address the challenges of congestion on some of our key road networks, and on funding of these priorities.
The user-pay principle to upgrade and expand Gauteng freeways was mooted by the Gauteng provincial government (GPG) in the late 1990's. Based on various engagements and consultations between national government, Gauteng provincial government, the relevant local government as well as other stakeholders, the GFIP was finally declared a toll road network in 2008, with funding from a R20 billion interest accruing loan with agreed terms and conditions.
On 22 February 2011, Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele announced the suspension of the implementation of e-tolling on the GFIP to allow for further engagement and consultation. A Steering Committee was appointed to review the proposed toll tariffs. Following the consultation process, the Steering Committee Report was presented to stakeholders on 30 June 2011 where further feedback was received. The final report was subsequently presented to the Minister of Transport, discussed with all relevant political principals and then presented to Cabinet. On 10 August 2011, Cabinet made the final pronouncement on this matter. TheDepartment of Transport (DoT), through its agency the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral), will now commence with implementation of the Cabinet decision and further announcements regarding implementation will be made in due course.