Pretoria - The e-toll account registration and the distribution of e-tags for Phase-1 of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) kicked off on Monday, the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has announced.
Sanral has encouraged all Gauteng e-road users to become "e-toll ready" by ensuring they have an e-tag, register for an e-toll account and fit their e-tag on the inside of their windscreen.
The e-tags are available from e-toll customer service outlets located at malls in Gauteng or customer centres along the Gauteng e-road as well as from the participating retailers such as Checkers, Pick'n Pay and Shoprite.
Bakwena e-tag holders can use their existing e-tags, but they need to register their e-toll account.
Registrations can be done online at www.sanral.co.za, by phoning the e-toll call centre at 0800 SANRAL (726 725) or at the e-toll customer service outlets. Self-help terminals are available at the e-toll Customer Service Outlets.
An initial deposit of R50 per vehicle registration is payable if the road user has not made the initial payment at the participating retailer already.
The deposit and or payment made at a participating retail outlet will be credited to the e-road user's e-toll Account, upon registration.
Gauteng e-road users have the option to register a pre-paid account or a credit card settlement account.
With a pre-paid account the road user has the option to have the e-toll account automatically topped-up from a nominated bank account, once a minimum amount has been reached, or they can top it up at a participating retailer or via the e-toll customer service outlet or with an electronic funds transfer (EFT).
Gauteng e-road users who select a credit card settlement account can pay their tolls by linking the e-toll account to a credit card. Transactions are rolled up daily and one amount is deducted from the pre-registered credit card.
The e-toll system was designed and implemented to conform to the internationally recognised Payment Card Industry Security Standard (PCI). PCI is a set of requirements designed to ensure that companies that process, store or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment.
Other System data, including passage data, gantry images and contact details are secured in a similar way according to international best practice.
Special arrangements have been put in place for obtaining the e-tags and registering an e-toll Account for fleets and groups of 50 or more. Details are available from the e-toll website.
All e-toll Account holders can manage their e-toll account online through the e-toll website, where they will be able to view and print all transactions.
However, road users that choose not to have an e-tag, can pay their toll by registering their Vehicle Licence Plate Number or by buying a Day Pass.
Cabinet earlier announced that qualifying commuter buses and taxis will be exempted from tolls on those routes for which they are registered to operate on.
Application for this exemption is not open yet; however operators that choose to register an e-toll account now may still do so.
Gauteng e-toll tags will only be operational at the Bakwena Toll Plazas from February next year on the Gauteng e-road.
