Changes in banking systems give road users more reasons to take up a tag and reduce congestion at toll plazas
As changes to several banking systems come into effect, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is encouraging road users to obtain a tag ahead of the festive season holidays to assist in reducing congestion at the busy toll plazas across the country.
“The holiday season means significantly more traffic on the national road network as people travel to visit family, friends and holiday destinations. Changes to banking systems and potential technical challenges – including delayed/slow processing due to volumes – could have major implications for road users trying to pass through busy toll plazas, especially when their only payment option is a bank card,” said Vusi Mona, SANRAL spokesperson, to The Bulletin.
The tag offers road users the opportunity for faster processing through toll plazas as tag lanes are more efficient. Tags can be used for payment at toll plazas and selected parking lots across the country and have no connection to the recently scrapped e-tolls.
“Some motorists were labouring under the impression that their historic debt would be offset against any funds loaded onto their tag. However, this is not the case. That debt has been ring-fenced. Any funds loaded onto the tag is a fresh start and has nothing to do with any historic e-toll debt,” said Mona.
Mona explained to The Bulletin that there were multiple convenient ways to obtain, load or fund the tag through the mobility account to ensure that road users were not caught wanting at toll plazas.
The tag therefore remains the simplest and most efficient way to pay and can be obtained in any of the following ways:
- SANRAL Mobile App (available on Android, IOS or Huawei)
- SANRAL Customer Service Centres, located along the Gauteng freeways
- Selected mainline toll plazas across South Africa
- Self Service Terminals (SST)
- Online at www.mobilityaccount.sanral.co.za.
- Email: info@mobilityaccount.sanral.co.za
- Call Centre 0800 726 725
Tags ordered via the SANRAL App, online, via email or from the Call Centre are delivered to the road user’s door within three to five days.
The SSTs are located at convenient locations on all major routes in South Africa. These terminals provide road users with the following functionalities:
- Access to their registered SANRAL account
- Ability to register a new SANRAL account
- Ability to obtain a tag from the terminal and link the tag to the account
- Perform basic management of the account, like adding funds, adding and removing vehicles, updating key user information etc.
The full list of locations where SSTs are available is on the SANRAL website – https://mobilityaccount.sanral.co.za
The tag can be loaded and topped up in any of the following ways:
Manual options that reflect on your account immediately:
- On the SANRAL Mobile App downloaded from your mobile app store (Android, IOS or Huawei)
- Online, through the SANRAL website, https://mobilityaccount.sanral.co.za
- At selected Mainline toll plazas across South Africa
- At an SST device
Manual options that reflect on your account up to five days after a payment is made:
- Electronic funds transfer (EFT)
- At participating retailers, Pick n Pay and Checkers
- At any advanced FNB ATM which has a note-accepting facility
Automatic:
- You may link the topping up of your mobility account to your credit card or through direct debit
- Once the low balance threshold is reached, the account will be topped up automatically to a balance as determined by you either by your credit card or through debit order.
“We will continue to expand opportunities for road users to obtain a tag swiftly and conveniently. A tag currently costs R50 and upon registration, R50 credit is loaded onto the tag, which effectively renders it free of charge,” said Mona.
As road users prepare for long-distance travel, SANRAL appeals for compliance, vigilance and commitment to road safety. Using a tag to reduce queuing time at toll plazas is a great way to reduce frustration so that everyone enjoys their travels this holiday.
