During the public hearing on e-tolling this week, it was noted that that there are no sufficient alternative routes from Pretoria to Johannesburg.

The head of Broadcasting at Primedia, Mr Yusuf Abramjee was speaking in the capacity of a Pretoria resident and asked, “Going from OR Tambo I have to ask which is the alternative route?”

He expressed his disdain for the R55 and R511 which are both supposedly viable alternative routes.

“Let me put it bluntly: the [R55] is in a very poor state.”

According to Abramjee, the proposed monthly cap of R550 offers little comfort to motorists.

With the cost of petrol and food regularly on an upward trend, additional money being paid for tolls would make life increasingly more difficult for the average road user.

Mr Abramjee made it clear he would like the e-tolling project to be postponed.

“Do the right thing. Postpone it and listen to the people,” Abramjee said.

Last month, the government and Sanral announced new tariffs for e-tolling of Gauteng’s freeways.

The announcement, made on 26 October, marked the beginning of a 30-day public consultation process, after which Transport Minister Ben Martins would have a fortnight to “apply his mind”, followed by another fortnight to gazette the final tariffs.

This would mean e-tolls would come into effect four days before Christmas.