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The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) welcomed the postponement of the introduction of tolls on the upgraded Gauteng freeway system. SACCI believes that this will provide SANRAL with an opportunity to reassess the methodology and cost of tolling in the province with due consideration of the following:

1. Reduce Administration cost of e-toll: SANRAL should reconsider the cost of maintaining physical e-toll stores vis-à-vis the utilization of existing infrastructure in local service stations, post offices or supermarkets much as is the case with the cellphone “pay as you go” air time system. This could potentially reduce the overhead sales costs of e-tokens. SACCI also believes that the cost and processes for the collection of unpaid toll fees should be interrogated to determine if it can be reduced, with any resulting savings being passed onto road users in the form of reduced tolls.
2. Reconsider the funding model for roads: Review the mix of budgetary allocation vs user payment.
3. Build public trust: SANRAL should introduce the promised roadside services in advance of implementation of the tolls to show road users that there will be tangible improvements. SANRAL should also clarify its liability for damage to vehicles on roads that are still being upgraded.

The current toll-fee structure on major roads in Gauteng is an additional cost to business which will have various unintended and malign consequences for economic development in the province. SACCI believes that the negative effect of the tolls on the economy can be mitigated with the appropriate administration, funding mix and communication programmes.