Question NW3665 to the Minister of Transport
29 November 2022 - NW3665
Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Transport
In light of the fact that the cross border operators have continuously, on different media platforms, expressed displeasure with the electronic cross border permit application system since its inception in January 2022, what (a) is the status of resolving the information technology issues related to the system and (b) total amount (i) has been spent on the dysfunctional system thus far and (ii) more is the Cross Border Road Transport Agency planning to spend on the (aa) development and (bb) maintenance of the system?
Reply:
(a) Since the inception of the new CrossEasy system in January 2022 for the issuance of cross-border road transport permits, the Cross Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) has successfully issued more than 55,000 permits using the functional permit management system of which at least 90% are for freight permits. The C-BRTA is currently implementing phase two of the CrossEasy system, and which includes for the resolution of intermittent permit issuance problems. All identified challenges with the CrossEasy system are to be resolved by the end of December 2022.
(b) (i) The total amount spent on the CrossEasy permit system to date is R12,935,219.40. The system is fully functional and benefits cross-border operators by allowing them to apply for permits online. Furthermore, the system is easily accessible from anywhere and reduces the costs and time required by operators to submit permit applications online.
(ii) (aa) The budgeted amount for the full development of the CrossEasy permit system is R42,964,709.40.
(ii) (bb) The amount for the support and maintenance of the CrossEasy permit system is included in the above budgeted figure.