Question NW2196 to the Minister of Transport
28 September 2021 - NW2196
Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport
(a) On what date will he finally make an announcement on the future of e-tolls in Gauteng, (b) what is the delay in making the announcement and (c) by what date will he ask Cabinet for a final decision on e-tolls?
Reply:
As the honourable Member may be aware, Department tabled various funding options around the Electronic Toll on Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) for Cabinet decision, however, after consideration of the options, Cabinet directed that both the Department and Treasury jointly, re-look at the options and re-submit to Cabinet for consideration.
(a) The date for announcement on the future of e-tolls in Gauteng cannot be determined at this stage as the discussions around funding for the system continue to take place, focusing on the various financial options available.
(b) The delay on the announcement is that the process to pronounce on the future of the e-toll take time as the two Ministers (Transport and Finance) had to first meet and in their meeting they agreed that further studies be conducted to inform the decision to be made.
(c) It is important to note that the Department is committed to finding a workable solution that does not ‘drown the country in debt’ but is equally sensitive to the public’s issues and once it is clear on the sustainable model, a submission will then be made for Cabinet final decision