Toll road fees 'spell doom and gloom'

THE impending toll road fees and road maintenance and funding will top the agenda at a summit next month.

From June, Gauteng motorists will pay 66c a kilometre in toll fees when the new open-road tolling system comes into effect.

The Freedom Front Plus has launched an online campaign to collect 100000 signatures to protest the new system. Already 56000 people have signed since December.

Spokesperson Anton Alberts said: "We are hoping to reach 100000 signatures by next month."

Transport spokesperson Logan Maistry said Minister S'bu Ndebele was willing to engage stakeholders on the issue.

"The summit will also look into a road fund to maintain roads. The department is also busy with an audit regarding road access to schools and clinics," Maistry said.

The FF Plus wants motorists to pay five cents a kilometre instead. The party said it would approach the new Consumer Commission and courts to have the tariff reduced.

The Automobile Association said the fees spelt "doom and gloom" for motorists.

"We are likely to see alternative routes becoming gridlocked areas," said AA spokesperson Gary Ronald.

Trade union Solidarity said that the toll system that is expected to be implemented on the province's main roads together with the current fuel taxes constitute a "double tax", and called for a discount on the current tax.