The creator of a mobile application designed to manage drivers’ use of toll roads has told HumanIPO he does not believe the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) is ready to implement the controversial policy.
Toll Track is a new mobile application that was created to help South Africans track their e-toll, Bakwena and TRAC N4 toll route expenses in Gauteng.
The mobile app has nothing to do with SANRAL and Jacques Theyse, creator of Toll Track, said he came up with it to address a need that will arise whenever SANRAL do get things moving.
He said: “I’ve read very conflicting reports, one states they can switch it on within the month… the other one says they’re not ready. I would understand that they’re not ready, I think they are not ready to switch on the gantries.”
Furthermore, Theyse said the application will also be a useful strategic tool for businesses that transport goods or for business people that travel often.
Despite the massive opposition e-tolling has been met with, Theyse said the application has largely been received well by the public because “it’s seen as a tool for them”.
“SANRAL has got nothing to do with the app, it was basically just out of necessity,” that the app was created, “Its for them (the public) to make informative decisions… about how it’s going to affect their budgets,” said Theyse.
The application is free for download through the Apple App Store and Google Play. Once downloaded, users simply have to press the start button and Toll Track will calculate the amount one would spend on a route, as well as the relevant discounts according to the user’s input and compiles the data into a monthly cost log.
The application works together with a smartphone’s built in GPS.
Theyse said he created Toll Track initially as a means to track his own toll expenses because he lives in Pretoria and uses the Bakwena toll route to attend to his daily business.
After purchasing an e-tag Theyse said: “I would get an SMS from ABSA informing me that for the month this amount has been deducted from my credit card, but I thought there’s no way of tracking it.”
He said further it costs approximately ZAR30 (US$3.32) per month for a statement. This lead to his realisation of a need for an application such as Toll Track.
Theyse said now with the issue of e-tolling, his application was modified to help South Africans successfully monitor the costs, despite therecent report that the South African Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) is not ready to implement e-tolls in Gauteng.
However, should SANRAL fail to implement e-tolling, Toll Track will still be useful to motorists who travel through traditional toll gantries.
Theyse said the future plans for Toll Track will include a live feature, which will calculate the amount gantries make as a means to make sure SANRAL is not ripping anyone off.
Theyse said he is also looking at creating a version of the application that will appeal more to business people who have to make key decisions in setting prices.
If tolls or e-tolls add to the travelling costs of businesses, they will be able to use Toll Track to help them build the expenses into prices, should the need arise.
