Outa and JPSA misleading the public over new tariff regulations

The statements made by Outa and JPSA claiming that the new gazetted e-toll dispensation is "smoke and mirrors" without tangible benefits are patently incorrect and misleading.

"Sanral would like to point out that the naysayers such as Outa and JPSA - who have no respect for our democracy - unfortunately continue to mislead the public with their statements. Their statements are, whether intentionally or mistakenly, based on gross oversights of aspects of the Gazette which is The Memorandum on the Objectives of the Toll Tariff Notice (Pages 33 - 38). This clearly states in point 5 that the new dispensation (outlined in detail in point 4.1 - 4.5) will be rolled out in phases, which includes the aspects they are alleging we are not honouring," said Sanral's General Manager of Communications, Vusi Mona.

The new and lowered toll tariffs for non-registered or non e-tag users and lowered monthly caps for registered users were gazetted on 17 June 2015 and will be effective from 2 July 2015. The assertion by Outa that there has been no reduction in tariffs is a lie. In the previous dispensation, the 30 cents per kilometre tariff for light motor vehicles was only applicable to registered e-tag users. In the new dispensation this applies to all users, whether they have an e-tag or not. Also, the lower new caps will now come into effect as from 2 July 2015.

This is the first part of the New Dispensation to be implemented as announced by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on 20 May this year. The Deputy President made it clear in his announcement that implementation will be in phases, and provided indicative timelines.

The introduction of the lowered standard tariff that is now the same as the e-tag tariff, will provide relief to users that are not registered.

"In this regard, we are working with the Department of Transport and have already started with the administrative and legal processes to implement the new dispensation. The implementation requires software and operational changes that must be implemented in accordance with best practices," said Mona.

Sanral is in the process of testing the changes to the system thoroughly to ensure a smooth transition. The relief announced for road users will become applicable once these changes have been made to the system. Other innovations such as the 30 free gantry passes per annum will be announced once the system and administrative requirements have been fulfilled.

"It is not true that the new dispensation is like a 'new coat over the same rusty broken vehicle' as described by Outa. To the contrary, it is their criticism that sounds like a broken record. The new e-toll dispensation has brought significant changes that will benefit all those who use the e-roads. Outa and JPSA are not offering anything new in their criticism. Like true ideologues, they are still stuck in the same position they were in three years ago. This, in spite of government and Sanral having moved their position in response to the concerns that were raised by road users," said Mona.

Mona concluded by saying "even for those who have made a career out of criticising Sanral, selective reading of the Gazette is regrettable. It comes very close to scraping the bottom of the barrel."