Live testing of Gauteng electronic toll transactions for road users with e-tag accounts would start this week, the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said on Tuesday.
“Road users who have registered for Gauteng e-tolling and fitted an e-tag to their vehicles are advised that their e-tags will start beeping as they pass underneath toll gantries on the Gauteng e-road network,” it said in a statement.
Starting on Thursday, the test would be run in phases, which meant not all toll gantries would be switched on simultaneously. “During this test phase, no funds will be deducted from road users’ accounts.”
Sanral said the e-tags would emit a single beep, an indication that transactions for that particular user would have been successfully processed. If more than one beep, or no beep at all was heard when passing beneath a gantry, motorists should contact the e-toll call centre on 0800 726 725, or visit an e-toll customer service outlet. This could mean a problem with their e-toll account, or the fitting of the e-tag.
The same beeping would occur when registered Gauteng e-road users drove on the Bakwena toll road north of Pretoria.
“The beeping on the Bakwena toll road is also part of this test phase, meaning the road users’ accounts are not yet active and no funds will be deducted.”
When tolling started on 30 April, e-tags would emit three types of beeps — one if the transaction was successful, two if the funds in the e-toll account were low, and four or none at all when a transaction failed.
Sanral said in these cases the road user needed to contact the e-toll call centre or visit an e-toll customer service centre.
“Road users are reminded that the e-tag is optional and also entitles them to various discounts on their toll tariffs, including the 48% e-tag discount.”
Frequent user discounts and the R550 monthly toll fee cap would also be available to motorcycles and light motor vehicles fitted with an e-tag.
“In addition to all the efforts that have been made to lessen the impact of the toll tariffs on road users, Sanral will ensure that the testing phase is non-disruptive to road users.” — Sapa
- Image: Paul Keller
