Wide-ranging survey addresses wrong perceptions about e-tolls

Claims about widespread dissatisfaction among Gauteng road users about e-tolling were largely debunked in a comprehensive survey published this week.

"It supports our view that resistance against e-tolling is driven by special interest groups supported by political activists and that there is an underlying acceptance among commuters that the users of road infrastructure should pay for its construction and upgrading," says General Manager of Communications at Sanral, Vusi Mona.

The Quality of Life survey conducted by the Gauteng City Region Observatory - GCRO - canvassed the opinions of 30 000 respondents across the province. The survey takes place every two years and, for the second time, included a question about perceptions towards e-tolling.

The question put to respondents was whether they agree with the statement "I will never pay for e-tolls." A key finding is that road users who are satisfied with the quality of the roads are more likely to pay. "34% of those who are satisfied with roads agree with the statement... and 42% disagree, indicating a willingness to pay."

The survey finds that fewer respondents - 14% - who travel on the Gauteng freeway network have changed their routes because of e-tolls than had anticipated to do so in 2013 - 19% - before the gantries were turned on.

Mona says Sanral does not claim that the majority of people are enthusiastic about e-tolling. However, the survey does show that it is not an overriding and pervasive issue among the majority of Gautengers, especially in lower-middle class and poorer communities.

Other findings in the survey confirm this opinion. The results show that 34% of African respondents indicate that they don't use the freeway compared to only 15% of white respondents.

Moreover the overall figures show that 80% of Gautengers surveyed travel to work either by taxi (33%) or in private vehicles as drivers or passengers (47%).

"This demonstrates the need for sufficient, high-quality road infrastructure to enable commuters to travel in safety and to reduce the overall cost of transport through quicker journeys, less congestion and fewer unproductive hours spent on the road," says Mona. "The Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project delivered these benefits to the province and there are growing indications that citizens are accepting the user pay principle."

Mona says it also supports the decision taken by government to exempt registered taxis and public transport from paying e-tolls as well as the reduction in tariffs announced 18 months ago. These were pro-active steps to reduce the impact of e-tolling on lower-income commuters.

The GCRO findings are also in line with an earlier study conducted by economist, Dr Roelof Botha, which indicated that 94% of passenger vehicle toll fees on the freeways will be paid by high-income earners who can afford it. This makes e-tolling a system that is more equitable than alternatives such as higher fuel levies which would affect all commuters across the board.