I'm not a member of the FFPlus, but they are opposing the new Gauteng toll road. Here is an exerpt from their recent e-mail. Please let's not gripe about the toll. Let's post constructive input here.
"Dear Fellow Petitioner
We wish to provide you feedback regarding our submission to the Toll Tariff Steering Committee that was appointed by the minister of transport to investigate the tariffs and to make recommendations. We were invited to make our submission on the 4th of April and also was the only political party present. We made the following recommendations:
1. Use the existing fuel levy for transport-related projects, like the building and maintenance of roads. Currently the fuel levy is used for general expenditures and is not ring fenced for road-related expenses only. The FF Plus regards this as unacceptable.
2. Create an independent toll tariff regulator for existing and future toll systems and tariffs or appoint the National Consumer Commission to establish fair toll tariffs. Currently the state can ask any price for the use of toll roads. An independent body that provides oversight for tollgate systems and tariffs, and that also takes into account the opinion of the public, will lead to fair and equitable toll tariffs.
3. Ask the Planning Commission to create an integrated and holistic transport plan. Currently there is no such plan that addresses the public's need for cost-effective transport across the country.
4. Pin the Gauteng toll tariff to 5c per km and peg the annual increase to 3%. This approach will bring a balance between the state and the taxpayer's contribution. Small businesses must be completely exempted from paying toll fees so that they can create the much needed jobs for our country.
1.5 The best scenario: Stop the Gauteng toll system, pay the debt for the freeway improvements from the existing fuel levy revenue and save the country's economy.
The Toll Tariff Steering Committee will soon invite the FF Plus to a follow-up meeting to discuss how our proposals should be incorporated into the final report to be presented to the Minister of Transport. We will keep you updated."
"Dear Fellow Petitioner
We wish to provide you feedback regarding our submission to the Toll Tariff Steering Committee that was appointed by the minister of transport to investigate the tariffs and to make recommendations. We were invited to make our submission on the 4th of April and also was the only political party present. We made the following recommendations:
1. Use the existing fuel levy for transport-related projects, like the building and maintenance of roads. Currently the fuel levy is used for general expenditures and is not ring fenced for road-related expenses only. The FF Plus regards this as unacceptable.
2. Create an independent toll tariff regulator for existing and future toll systems and tariffs or appoint the National Consumer Commission to establish fair toll tariffs. Currently the state can ask any price for the use of toll roads. An independent body that provides oversight for tollgate systems and tariffs, and that also takes into account the opinion of the public, will lead to fair and equitable toll tariffs.
3. Ask the Planning Commission to create an integrated and holistic transport plan. Currently there is no such plan that addresses the public's need for cost-effective transport across the country.
4. Pin the Gauteng toll tariff to 5c per km and peg the annual increase to 3%. This approach will bring a balance between the state and the taxpayer's contribution. Small businesses must be completely exempted from paying toll fees so that they can create the much needed jobs for our country.
1.5 The best scenario: Stop the Gauteng toll system, pay the debt for the freeway improvements from the existing fuel levy revenue and save the country's economy.
The Toll Tariff Steering Committee will soon invite the FF Plus to a follow-up meeting to discuss how our proposals should be incorporated into the final report to be presented to the Minister of Transport. We will keep you updated."
