Industry body the Road Freight Association (RFA) advised its members, in a circular on Tuesday, to register for e-tolling, in light of the South African National Roads Agency Limited’s (Sanral’s) recent announcement that tolling on Gauteng roads would begin on December 3.

“Whether we agree with this or not, it is no longer up for discussion. The reality is that tagged vehicles are charged a far lower rate a kilometer and, given the discounts offered and the laborious process that would ensue for nontagged vehicles, we advise our members to get e-tags. Should the system be delayed, at least the tags are already fitted,” the organisation said.

Under the e-toll pricing structure, all classes of freight vehicle would receive a 48% discount off the base price if a tag was fitted. The base price was the tariff a km.

Class B, or smaller freight vehicles, would thus pay an e-tag rate of 75c/km, in comparison with the standard rate of R1.45/km, while class C, or larger freight vehicles, would pay an e-tag rate of R1.50/km rather than the standard rate of R2.90/km.

“On top of the discounted figures, the time of day discounts – which vary from 20% to 30%, depending on the time of day – were also added, further reducing the cost. This can lower the average cost to 30c/km for Class B and 75c/km for Class C,” the RFA stated.

In addition, the maximum amount of toll levied per vehicle was capped at R1 750 for Class B and R3 500 for Class C, after which no further toll fees would be incurred.

“The association has requested a further discount from Sanral for RFA members,” the body said.

It added that it remained committed to the agreement reached through the Presidential Toll Task Team, through which it was agreed that e-tolls would go ahead on Phase 1 of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), as the gantries and system had already been financed.

This process had also guaranteed that the tolls would not increase by more than the consumer price index each year, tariffs would be reduced for freight, noncompliant users would be “dealt with” to ensure that compliant users would not bear the cost, and GFIP Phases 2, 3 and 4 would undergo a new round of comment and were not approved for implementation.