The current uncertainty around whether or not tolling would be implemented on Gauteng’s highways has repercussions beyond the province’s borders, says Intelligent Transport Society of South Africa (ITS South Africa) CEO Dr Paul Vorster. It is also creating trepidation over the funding model for all future road projects in South Africa.

“Already the N1/N2 Winelands project is on hold. We need clarity over the funding model as soon as possible. South Africa cannot start any new road project until it becomes clear how these projects will be funded. And, the longer we wait, the more expensive it becomes to build new roads. Our roads are also deteriorating, with congestion and time lost owing to this increasing,” notes Vorster.

The Gauteng toll road project has been bogged down in a political quagmire with no resolution in sight, this while the country has to start making payments on the multibillion-rand debt incurred to fund this would-be toll project. Public opposition to urban tolling in the province has been so severe that the start of tolling has been delayed several times on the back of calls for more widespread consultation.

As far as ITS South Africa is concerned, the society supports the user-pays principle, says Vorster.

“What other realistic options do South Africa have to fund roads?”

Vorster says it is not feasible to do incremental repairwork to roads in accordance to the funding available in one year. This is even more true for new road sections.

“You would be able to do a limited number of kilometres of the Ben Schoeman in one year and, when you are done with the highway, several years later, the construction programme has disrupted traffic for several years and you would have to start all over again. The commuter would be faced with continuous roadworks. Neither can you just leave the roads to deteriorate. This leaves the only solution the large-scale project such as the one we saw in Gauteng over the last few years.”

Vorster also notes that the much-vaunted implementation of a fuel levy to fund the Gauteng roads does not provide the answers many think possible.

“How far can you push up the levy without hurting your income stream in the end – earning less money than when you started out?

“Besides, if Treasury said they did not have the money when the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) first considered the upgrade, what has changed?”

Vorster also emphasises that urban tolling is increasingly becoming a more widely used form of road funding in many countries, rich and poor.

He adds that while the toll road implementation agency, Sanral, is currently being vilified, it did not act without government’s consent.

“It operated according to the mandate given to it by government, and with the approval of government. Government did not have the money to give to Sanral to build new highways in Gauteng.”

Vorster adds that Sanral is the most efficient of all State-owned enterprises, and has proved itself to be competent, with an experienced staff acting with integrity.

“You never read about any corruption in Sanral.”

Vorster also urges those disgruntled with the implementation of tolling on Gauteng’s highways to consider not only the cost of tolling, but also the benefits, such as time saved, productivity improvements, more predictable journey times, improved safety and a reduced carbon footprint.

“Tolling is never popular, but it is our only practical option. The fuel levy is an income stream for Treasury. And besides, if we do not pay toll now, it does not mean the problem is solved. We, the taxpayers, will, somehow, in the end, foot this bill.”

* Sanral is a member of ITS South Africa.