The Retail Motor Industry has joined the AA and the South African Chamber of Business in expressing its concern about the proposed plan to restrict trucks from highways and freeways in Gauteng during peak hours.
The Retail Motor Industry has joined the AA and the South African Chamber of Business in expressing its concern about the proposed plan to restrict trucks from highways and freeways in Gauteng during peak hours.
The MEC for transport in Gauteng, Khabisi Mosunkutu, has said the trucks will be restricted from next month as part of a plan to relieve traffic congestion in the province.
In a letter forwarded to Mosunkutu, Jeff Osborne, CEO of the RMI, raised the concerns of RMI members. He said although the plan had not been finalised, the MEC had indicated that the measures were set to come into force from July 1.
“However, it is very gratifying to notice the open door policy of MEC Khabisi Mosunkutu, who is offering stakeholders and affected parties a democratic opportunity to state their case and, where possible, offer alternatives,” adds Osborne.
Osborne says the RMI would like to share detailed information with the Transport Department before any decisions are finalised as the implementation of the peak time ban may have serious financial and disruptive consequences for the retail motor industry.
RMI members are concerned that the ban could have a negative effect on the economy and the motoring public as these restrictions might lead to increases in transport and employment costs. They pointed out that the parts and fuel industry was driven by availability and turn-around times – and the ban would impact negatively on operational efficiencies.
The members said the moment “the freeze window” expired, the build-up of heavy vehicles could cause more chaos as all companies would rush to expedite their delivery backlogs.
The ban’s effect on the profitability of small businesses would cause retrenchments, and would have a detrimental knock-on effect because of the forced changes to pricing models to accommodate overtime, additional vehicles and human resources.
“The RMI is therefore of the considered opinion that the proposed ban will seriously disrupt and harm our industry,” says Osborne.
Meanwhile, the MEC on Thursday cancelled a media briefing scheduled for July 1 on the details of the truck ban. His office explained that he wanted to hold more meetings and consult more widely on the issue first.
The South African Chamber of Business told CARtoday.com they would be meeting Mosunkutu on July 4 to discuss the restrictions.
Earlier this week, AA divisional manager Petro Kruger said she did not believe that such a move would cut down on congestion. “The premise that trucks are largely responsible for traffic congestion during peak hours is false,” she said.
According to the AA, traffic congestion on the arterial routes in and around Johannesburg and Pretoria is due to insufficient road infrastructure, which reached safe carrying capacity 10 to 15 years ago. Lack of public transport is another contributory factor to traffic congestion.
