SANRAL’s stealth tariff increase

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) increased toll tariffs effective from Friday 3 March. According to the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA), only some SANRAL users received notification of the increases via e-mail on Friday, the day of the adjustments.

Furthermore, the AA highlighted that the notification sent by SANRAL did not include the actual increase values, “nor was there any justification of why the increases were being made.”

This comes as another blow to motorists, who will experience an increase in the fuel levy and Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy, due to take effect in April.

The AA added that the new tariff prices do not provide any historical data of the prices, and their increases over a period of time. The only justification for the tariff increases was published in the Government Gazette on 16 February.

“SANRAL has again missed an opportunity to engage meaningfully with the public on this topic. We warned last year that SANRAL must try and win support from the public, but it seems its attitude to motorists remains arrogant and uncaring. We will not be surprised if, given this attitude, and the prevailing economic situation in South Africa, more motorists decide not to pay their tolls. SANRAL would do well to remember it is a service provider to their customers, the motorists of South Africa, and yet its attitude conveys the opposite message,” said the AA.

E-tolls

According to the 2017 Toll Tariffs document released by SANRAL, SANRAL account holders have a 31 day grace period, while non-SANRAL account holders have a seven day grace period in which to pay their e-Tolls.

The new e-toll tariffs are as follows:

Source: SANRAL Adjusted Toll Tariffs 2017

There are also new monthly caps for the e-toll system. These are:

Source: SANRAL Adjusted Toll Tariffs 2017

Gauteng motorists will also enjoy a slight reduction in toll prices with time-of-day discounts.

Source: SANRAL Adjusted Toll Tariffs 2017

Toll plaza tariff increases

The new toll plaza tariffs are as follows:

Source: SANRAL Adjusted Toll Tariffs 2017

“While these increases seem to be simply business as usual for SANRAL, this is clearly not the case for the beleaguered South African consumer,” added the AA.