South African e-tolling delayed

Date: 30/4/2012

The launch of an e-tolling transport solution in South Africa has been delayed.

It was due to be introduced today (April 30th), but the rollout has now been put back until May 30th, BuaNews reports.

Director-General of the Department of Transport George Mahlalela said this is because more time is needed to finalise changes due to public input on regulatory and administrative issues.

The system would be used in place of standard tolling and see vehicles electronically identified by an e-tag or their licence plate.

Money is then collected in two ways - either through Open Road Tolling or Boom-down Electronic Toll Collection - both of which mean cars do not have to stop to hand over cash. The latter system allows for the barrier to be automatically raised once an electronic tag has been read.

However, a court challenge against the solution is currently taking place and many motorists, businesses and unions are opposed to the idea, the news provider noted.

A total of 19 per cent of routes in South Africa are tolled and the money is used to help fund the South African National Roads Agency.

Posted by Nick Anderson