The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) plans to adjust the e-toll tariffs for Gauteng’s upgraded highways in March each year, in line with the consumer price index, the Government Gazette has confirmed.

This was the procedure followed for all other toll roads in the country.

On Friday, the Department of Transport gazetted the draft toll tariffs and regulations for the e-tolling system, kicking off a 30-day period for public comment, which would conclude in a judicial review on November 26.

This followed Cabinet’s decision that Sanral should proceed with the implementation of the e-tolling system to partly fund the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), to which government had already dedicated R5.7-billion.

Light vehicles fitted with e-tags would pay a discounted rate of 30c/km and motorcycles that had the devices installed would pay 18c/km. However, motorists would pay double that rate if they did not register. The base tariff for light vehicles remained 58c/km against an initial base rate of 66c/km.

Nonarticulated trucks fitted with an e-tag would pay 75c/km and articulated trucks R1.50/km.

In addition to discounts awarded to those who install e-tags in their vehicles, time-of-day discounts would also be implemented. The regime is aimed at improving traffic flow by encouraging heavy vehicles to travel outside peak hours, which were between 06:00 and 08:30 in the morning, as well as between 16:00 and 19:00.

Discounts would range from 25% to 30% on standard tariffs, depending on whether travelling is done during the week or weekend, as well as the time of travelling.

The toll tariff also makes provision for those who use the GFIP toll roads or less than 12 days over a 12-month period.

Such users can purchase a 24-hour pass for their specific vehicle from Sanral or one of its authorised suppliers. The day pass will be valid irrespective of how many e-toll transactions take place over the period.

The 24-hour period is calculated from the date and time the day pass user first passes under an e-toll plaza and each user is allowed 12 day passes for a specific vehicle during a 12-month period.

Registered emergency vehicles, as well as public transport operators and users would remain exempt from e-tolling, while deliberations with representatives of the country’s disabled community were under way.

GFIP project manager Alex van Niekerk said last week the e-tolling system could be implemented before the end of the year, but it depended on the duration of the public comment process.

The final tariffs would be published at least 14 days before the official implementation of the e-tolling system.