Department of Transport extends grace period discount to allow road users to pay outstanding bills by 30 June 2014

The Department of Transport has extended the grace period discount for e-toll invoices for the period 3 December 2013 to 28 February 2014, without the Alternate User Tariff being applied, for these transactions.

The suspensive condition of granting the extension and relief is that road users register an e-toll account and settle the discounted outstanding amounts in full. The granting of the exemption was gazetted on Monday, 12 May 2014.

"Under this extended post-grace period discount offer, motorists who register an e-toll account and then settle the outstanding invoices for the period 3 December 2013 to 28 February 2014, before 1 July 2014, will only be liable to pay the standard toll tariff for these transactions as opposed to the alternate user rate which is three times the standard toll tariff," SANRAL CEO Nazir Alli said.

The Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters decided to extend the post-grace period discounts for the specific period, without applying the alternative user tariff, especially in view of the fact that road users were still familiarising themselves with the new system and there were delays in the delivery of invoices due to the postal strike.

The e-toll accounts for registered account holders who have already paid the Alternative User Tariff, for this period, will be credited automatically with the relevant discounts, by 1 July 2014.

Alli said: "We want to use this as an opportunity for road users to further familiarise themselves with the system and the options available to them. We would also like to reiterate that the system is a prepaid one and road users can choose not to give their banking details to register an account. The user-pay-principle is an equitable way to pay for the use of the toll roads from which the user derives a benefit that is greater than the fee paid."

He added that SANRAL welcomed the department's decision, saying it spoke to both government's and SANRAL's desire to serve citizens.

"In the application of the 'user-pay' principle, we always look to make charges affordable. Also, we believe it will assist those road users who have fallen behind with their payments to catch up and be compliant," Alli said.

Alli emphasised that to enjoy this benefit, the road user:

* Must register an e-toll account - or already have an e-toll account - before 1 July 2014.* Must settle their account in full for the period 3 December 2013 to 28 February 2014 to obtain the discounts.

The normal early payment discounts (extended grace period discounts) for e-toll transactions that took place after 28 February and were not paid within the seven-day grace period will still be applicable, Alli said.

"We hope road users will take full advantage of this extension of the grace period to settle their accounts at the discounted amount. We are doing this because we have taken note of the fact that some might have unintentionally fallen into arrears because this is a new system they are not familiar with. We thank all those who have registered for their continuous support," the CEO said.

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