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Roads are an essential part of the life of individuals as well as businesses. They become such a part of everyday life that the benefi ts they bring are seldom recognised. But the benefi ts are enormous, particularly on modern, safe, wellconstructed and well-maintained roads.

These benefits form part of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) which deals with the highways in inner Gauteng. The benefits impact both individuals and the economy as a whole, and in so many ways that they are simply never taken into account.

Gauteng, where these improved highways are, is the economic heart of the country. A quarter of the country’s people live in this province and it contributes 36% towards the country’s GDP. Therefore it is vital that as much as possible should be done to boost the province’s economy.

And this is exactly what the GFIP does. The Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town found that international research experience suggests that in addition to normal accessibility improvements, businesses in a growing economy like Gauteng would benefit from increased efficiencies in their labour markets.

These benefi ts include reduced vehicle operating costs and reduced travelling times. The upgrades on the highways and the improved interchanges have led to property developments, which have been a catalyst for economic growth, job creation and densification.

In a wider context, and over time, the improved highways encourage trip sharing, discourage urban sprawl, promote the use of public transport and discourage road usage during peak hours.

There are other hidden advantages – less time spent on the roads means more time for yourself, your family, less tension sitting in traffic and increases your overall wellbeing.

A very real advantage of the project that not many take note of is the sophisticated Freeway Management System (FMS). This provides both a rapid response in case of an incident and thus keeping the flow of traffic as smooth as possible. Incidents could be a crash, a stranded vehicle, a breakdown or a need for medical assistance.

The first sixty minutes of an incident is called the “golden hour” – it is the most critical time in which lives can be saved and injuries minimised which is exactly what the FMS provides. Towing vehicles, incident and medical response vehicles, “medics on bikes’ – all staffed with personnel who are experienced in medical and incident management – are ready to react as soon as an incident is reported.

Not only is the GFIP a boon to all in Gauteng and those who use it, the system used to pay for the debt incurred to construct and maintain it, is fair: if you don’t use these highways, you don’t pay. If you live in Upington or Oudtshoorn, the tolls will not affect you.

It is a win-win situation for all.

Source: The New Dispensation Plan

Changes to the Gauteng e-toll system will reduce the financial burden on commuters but also ensure that the province’s world-class highway network is funded and adequately maintained in the future.

The “New E-toll Dispensation” announced by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on 20 May will continue to bring substantial benefi ts to users of all classes of vehicles, offer concessions to infrequent road users and create a more user-friendly administrative system. The user-pay principle, endorsed by both the national and provincial governments – and supported by most transport economists – remains in place. This is now strengthened by single rate of 30c per kilometre for light vehicles, lower monthly caps for all road users and the scrapping of toll-fees for commuters who are irregular users, who pass less than 30 gantries on the Gauteng freeway network per year. The bulk of Gauteng commuters – who travel on taxis and buses – will still be exempted from paying any tolls provided these vehicles are registered and fitted with e-tags. The e-toll system will, however, not be scrapped, the gantries on the Gauteng Freeway Network will remain in place and road users will still be  required to pay if they travel on the province’s highways. The national and Gauteng provincial governments will fund the shortfall resulting from a lower income from e-tolls to enable SANRAL to meet its debt commitments and ensure a safe and well-maintained road network remains in place.

The primary features of the “New E-toll Dispensation” are:

For road users with a SANRAL account:

Following rates will apply:

• Class A1 – 18c per km
• Class A2 – 30c per km
• Class B – 75c per km
• Class C – 150c per km

Monthly toll fee caps reduced to:

• Class A1 – R125
• Class A2 – R225
• Class B – R875
• Class C – R2 900

• Time of Day Discounts will continue to apply if payment is made within the Grace Period.

For users who do not have a SANRAL account:

• A rate of 30c per km (Class A2)

• Monthly toll fee caps introduced:

• Class A1 – R125
• Class A2 – R225
• Class B – R875
• Class C – R2 900

For users who do not pay within 30 days of invoice:

– Will be liable for double the Toll Tariff but new monthly caps will apply as follows:

• Class A1 – R250
• Class A2 – R450
• Class B – R1 750
• Class C – R5 800

– No Time of Day Discount outside of the Grace Period.

The new tariffs will reduce the burden on low- and middle income communities who use the Gauteng freeway network to travel between home and work. A lower monthly cap means a signifi cant reduction in household income spent on transport costs while commuters will still benefi t from travelling on a worldclass road network, provided and maintained by SANRAL.  The Gauteng freeway network will continue to play its role as the economic backbone of the southern African economy offering residents of the province, commuters, business and the transport sector a highway system of unmatched quality.

Distribution of costs on a 100% fuel levy

• 5% Low income
• 15% Middle income
• 80% High income

Usage of the GFIP by low income group

• 0% GFIP* car
• 1% GFIP* taxi & bus
• 99% Other roads

Source – Guide to New etoll Dispensation Plan