We do not dispute the need for the long overdue Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) but we need answers about the decision to adopt the proposed e-tolling funding mechanism. The public knew virtually nothing about the elaborate, complex and extremely unwieldy electronic tolling process until mid 2010, when we saw the gantries being erected. No meaningful consultation or engagement had taken place with either business or the public and the question is, why not?
The simplest and least expensive way to fund commuter road infrastructure upgrading is to do this via the fuel levy. This is how our roads and upgrades were funded in the past. Sadly, it appears the provisions for the GFIP were either not made, were insufficient or were spent elsewhere. This is a matter that needs answering by the authorities in the first place, what are they doing with our taxes and levies, which are supposed to be provided for such capital infrastructural upgrades?
My guess is that the public, including those in other cities, would rather fund this extra tax/toll through the far simpler method of adding a few extra cents per litre of petrol thereby eliminating the need to erect gantries, tags in cars, top up tag accounts at pay points or on-line, police the system and chase thousands of debtors daily.
So why was this "fuel levy" option never offered to us? Why the need for such an inefficient and expensive e-tolling process when the collection of these funds could be so much easier with 100% foolproof revenue collection process? In addition, although a separate debate, is the need for BUSA and other public watchdogs to take a closer look at the current use of those fuel levies.
The obvious questions that may arise in this debate are:
What is needed is debate on the actual need for this e-tolling 'farce'. A small adjustment to the fuel levy option just makes so much sense, being an efficient and accurate way of dealing with the matter.
It is time that the public demand the reasons behind this kind of unilateral decision making, which is made without thorough input from all stakeholders. These decisions not only affect the broader business community and our economy, they have a negative impact on the already stressed budgets of all of us.