5 days ago
Residents secure commitment on toll relief
Residents of the Moot, Pretoria North and the surroundings have secured a commitment from the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) and toll operator Bakwena to further engage on what they will do to relieve commuters of the financial burden of escalating fees.
The parties met on May 22 to address the growing concerns of local residents who rely heavily on the N1.
A petition initiated by the DA highlighted that about 65% of the community uses the highway with no viable alternative available.
Lydia Raath, a resident and spokesperson for the concerned community, expressed cautious optimism following the meeting.
'After our first meeting, we were under the impression that they would bring something to the table today to discuss,' Raath said. 'They have now requested that we workshop possible solutions. We were hoping to give more positive feedback to residents, but at least it looks like we will get something in place.'
Raath acknowledged the frustration of residents but reassured them of the ongoing efforts.
'The community is glad that we have started this process and supports us 100%,' she added. 'The fact that the authorities are willing to listen to us and sit down to implement something like a discount is a decisive factor. We hope for a positive outcome.'
CEO of Bakwena Simon Everitt acknowledged residents' concerns.
'Together with Sanral, we are committed to engaging meaningfully with the community to seek workable and sustainable solutions,' he stated.
The meeting on May 22 addressed several key agenda items, including a mandate to negotiate.
The meeting committed to further engagement with Bakwena and Sanral to address concerns conclusively.
He said the community will send its representatives, including ward councillors.
Residents clarified their specific demands, focusing on fairer tolls for regular users.
Everitt said the workshop will explore discount options such as rebates or credits via the e-tag system, depending on what is feasible within the commercial constraints.
Bakwena provided updates on most of the issues raised at the previous meeting, including regular patrols to keep the road free of debris, efforts to address lighting issues due to theft, and ongoing maintenance to improve drainage.
Everitt emphasised the commitment to ensuring that toll infrastructure serves the needs of the communities it impacts while maintaining the financial sustainability required for ongoing road maintenance, upgrades, and safety.
As part of their engagement, Sanral and Bakwena are committed to addressing community concerns, which will be attended to during the workshop.
For more information or to share concerns, residents can contact Bakwena's toll-free hotline at 0800 225 9362.
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