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Bakwena N1N4 toll shares good news for motorists who have registered for Gauteng e-toll accounts, as they will also be able to use their e-tags to pay the toll fees on the N1N4 routes covered by Bakwena - without any hindrance. The process will be as simple as choosing the correct lane and giving the e-tag reader a chance to read the tag.
 
Bakwena, who holds a 30-year concession contract with the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) to administer and maintain a 385km route on the N1N4 freeway, has managed a combination of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) and conventional manual tolling using cash/credit card for the past 12 years. This is fully interoperable with the Gauteng Open Roads Tolling (GORT) system that was activated on Tuesday, 3 December 2013.

“With the implementation of the Gauteng e-tolling system, it brings our team great satisfaction to know that we are geared and ready to welcome those new e-tag users onto the routes that we manage as our tolling system is fully functional and ready to accommodate any e-tag customer,” shares Liam Clarke, spokesperson for Bakwena.
 
“The ETC method that was upgraded to be interoperable has been running live tests since September 2011 with approximately 55,000 active e-tag users and we are proud to say that the system has been working efficiently for many years.”
 
Bakwena maintains the four busiest toll plazas in the country. The Pumalani mainline plaza, as well as the Stormvoël, Zambesi, and Doornpoort ramps see nearly 100,000 vehicles passing through the area on a daily basis.
 
The toll route system forms a major part of Bakwena’s services and also makes a large contribution to communities in the area. Bakwena has also been running several road safety and education programmes in communities along the corridor to increase the visibility of pedestrians and non-motorised transport such as donkey carts and bicycles, as well as learners’ awareness of the rules of the road.
 
“We know first-hand how important tolling is as it promotes a high standard road network that generates meaningful economic activity in the region by enhancing trade and foreign earnings through linking South Africa to Botswana and Namibia. Tolling also provides employment opportunities, not only as a result of direct operational activity, but as a result of economic development.”
 
According to Clarke motorists using the Bakwena N1N4 toll road value the roads as they are in good condition which reduces travelling distances meaning less is spent on fuel and running costs while saving time. They also believe the “user-pay” principle is fair because road users only pay for the roads they use. In addition, the continuous stream of funds reduces road construction costs while ensuring well-built and engineered roads are built that require less maintenance.
 
“Optimally functioning roads is essentially what Gauteng road users can look forward to once the e-tolling system is implemented and we are pleased to showcase how e-tolling has been used effectively as motorists travel on the routes that we manage,” concludes Clarke.