Justice Project South Africa (JPSA) has said that there remains little chance of Gauteng motorists accepting e-tolling despite hints that the Gauteng advisory panel has proposed the lowering of e-toll fees.

This was in reaction to a summary of recommendations made by the advisory panel, created by Gauteng Premier David Makhura to review the socio-economic impact of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) and e-tolls.

Following the summary of recommendations published on the Gauteng provincial government’s website, JPSA says it is clear that “the hybrid model of funding for the current GFIP seeks to retain e-tolling as a prominent component, despite its gross inefficiencies and enormous unpopularity among the citizens of Gauteng.”

“Although it may be believed by the panel and provincial government that a reduced e-tolls cap will lead to a buy-in on e-tolling by motorists, JPSA believes that this will have little effect on the current feelings citizens of Gauteng have towards ring fencing of our major routes around Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni and there remains little real chance of public acceptance of e-tolling,” GFIP says