e-toll 2009 survey amazing results

A survey conducted by South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) in 2009 revealed that as many as 48% of people in Gauteng would not be willing to pay for an open road tolling system.

This according to documents provided by the Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday (2 September), which showed that a question was posed to gauge public acceptance of e-tolling as part of Sanral’s initial market research.

“I can reveal today that Sanral knew from as early as 2009 that they are facing widespread opposition against e-tolling on Gauteng freeways,” said Mmusi Maimane, DA Premier candidate for Gauteng.

Survey

The question on the document asked: “The envisaged tolls for Gauteng Freeways will be automated, there will be no toll stations. Payment will be collected automatically. If there were two extra lanes on the freeways you normally travel on, saving you time, would you be prepared to pay a toll?”

Sanral’s April 2009 documentation indicated that 69% of people were willing to pay a toll fee, while 39% of people were not willing to pay toll fees.

However, in an addendum (as part of the contract information) in June 2009, the results were amended indicating that 48% of people would not be willing to pay for e-tolls.

“Though the question in itself raises serious concerns on how it was formulated to lead respondents to a positive outcome – baselessly claiming that more lanes will equal less time travelled – the results are nonetheless revealing,” Maimane said.

“Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) and Sanral both agree that one of the critical success factors for the project as a whole include the high levels of public compliance,” the DA said.

It said that the ETC in its contract submission stated that this opposition expressed in the market research presented a huge communication and marketing challenge to shift attitudes and behaviour of a significantly large group into acceptance, or at least compliance.

“Should such a sizable group actively resist compliance, law enforcement will be serious hampered and could become virtually impossible to implement. Sizable active resistance could jeopardise the project as a whole,” the DA cited the ETC as saying.

The political party said that the ETC’s submission also identified the risk that a culture of non-payment could materialise based on past practical experiences with “grudge buys” – purchasing a right of passage instead of a tangible benefit.

Source : http://businesstech.co.za
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