The ANC government must now seriously consider the continuation of the Gauteng e-toll system as market research of Ipsos which has just been released, has shown that the public is increasingly rejecting it, Adv. Anton Alberts, the parliamentary spokesperson of the FF Plus on Transport says.

Ms. Kate Slade of Ipsos told the FF Plus this morning that research which has been done before deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement last week about new measures, shows that 74% of road users are of the opinion that the e-toll system in its current form should be scrapped.

She confirmed the FF Plus’ view that coercive measures, such as the withholding of licenses of non-payers will lead to greater resistance of the public which could create worse problems if large numbers of people merely drive around without un-licensed vehicles.

Research which Ipsos had done in November 2013, shortly before the e-tolls had come into effect, indicated that 58% of respondents had been opposed to the system. It has now increased with 16%.

Figures that the FF Plus had obtained through a parliamentary question also clearly show that since June last year, income from the e-tolls has sharply declined.

Adv. Alberts says it confirms the finding of Ipsos’ research that there is a growing resistance against the system which could increase in its intensity.

“The FF Plus seriously calls on government to scrap the system and to walk away from it before more damage is done. The longer it continues, the greater the costs are going to be when legal costs are an issue,” Adv. Alberts says.

Issued by FF Plus