Obert Mpofu considering introducing tollgates in cities

Government is considering introducing tollgates in urban centres to raise money to finance infrastructural development, decongest the centres and reduce carbon emissions, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu has said.In an interview last week, Minister Mpofu said the idea was still at concept stage.

Details on how much money would be needed to set up the tollgates and on which parts of urban roads in the major centres were not immediately made available. "There is no reason why tollgates should be built away from towns where most traffic is," he said.

"To me it is not logical. We will look at it with the view to address this anomaly in order to decongest our towns and generate revenue.

"Currently, it is a concept that the ministry is seriously exploring in view of the success of the concept in other countries where tolling is done in areas where there is extensive use of roads.

"Having tollgates out of town beats the purpose of tolling. We will, however, do it through consultations with stakeholders and implement it through the relevant Government processes. It is quite a live idea and tollgates can fund themselves, we are seriously considering this," he said.

Other countries such as South Africa have been battling to introduce urban tollgates, with the labour body Cosatu, and opposition party Democratic Alliance supporting Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) and resisting the move in the courts.

However, South African President Jacob Zuma last Friday signed the "controversial" Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill into law, paving the way for e-tolling (introducing tollgates in urban areas) amid resistance from the opposition.

In a statement, the South African Presidency said the act would facilitate the upgrading and development of the transport infrastructure and public transport.

But the system has been successfully implemented in a couple of cities around the world, especially in Europe.

In world cities such as London, Stockholm and Oslo, urban tolling led to the reduction of traffic, an optimised accessibility and a reduction of carbon emissions.

Dr Mpofu said the successful implementation of urban tolling in South Africa was a welcome development despite the delay due to protests and petitions from various organisations.

"Any new progressive initiative", he said, "attracts resistance but I am sure every motorist in the country would want to drive on safe, wide and well-maintained roads. This is the ultimate that our motorists will get".

Dr Mpofu said the transport system in Zimbabwe faced a lot of challenges in addressing the needs and aspirations of the nation.

"The engagements I made with different parastatals in the ministry have clearly shown a dearth in some of our infrastructural development. The findings have created on our part as the ministry the urgent need to map medium to long term solutions.

"Some want us to look at legislation and others at administrative solutions which I have put before the management boards to submit proposals in order for us to make informed decisions."

Town planner Mr Percy Toriro, said urban tolling was a welcome idea and if implemented well, could build a pool of funds for infrastructural development.