Robin Carlisle, the Minister of Transport and Public Works in the Western Cape, has signed a "Proclamation of Toll Tariffs for Chapman's Peak Drive", which will result in inflation-aligned increases for motorists using the pass.
From Friday, 1 July 2011, the drivers of cars and bakkies (class 2) will have to pay R31, instead of the previous R30 toll fee, to use Chapman's Peak Drive.
The cost for registered minibus taxis will increase from R15 to R16.
Motorcycles and similar vehicles (class 1) will pay R20 per trip, which also represents a R1 increase from R19.
Non-commercial minibus (class 3) toll road fees will go from R40 to R42, mid-sized and medium heavy motor vehicles (class 4) from R119 to R124 and large buses (class 5) from R298 to R311. All tariffs include 14% VAT.
Heavy motor vehicles are prohibited from using the route. These are vehicles exceeding 12.5 metres in overall length, including vehicle and trailer combinations. Rigid vehicles with three or more heavy axles, articulated vehicles and abnormal vehicles are also prohibited. A bus is regarded as a rigid heavy motor vehicle, without a trailer, designed to convey more than 35 passengers. Vehicles that fall within the category class 4 to 5 are restricted from the Noordhoek side of the drive, travelling north.
"I would like to remind those that use the road frequently that these fees are for single trips and that discounted rates are available to frequent users. This discount is determined by the number of uses per calendar month and the type of vehicle," said Minister Carlisle.
"For example, a passenger car that uses the road ten times a month will have to pay an average tariff per trip of R24.20 at the discounted rate. However, if the car makes 50 or more trips per month, the fees are reduced to an average tariff per trip of R10.81," added Minister Carlisle.
Discount tariffs are only applicable to users who have pre-registered with Entilini Concessionaire (Pty) Ltd.
Special tariffs also apply to those in possession of valid Wild Cards as distributed by South African National Parks and Cape Nature Conservation, subject to certain conditions.
The Minister said: "I strongly believe that Chapman's Peak Drive, with its much improved service that has resulted in road closures happening more and more rarely, is excellent value for money."
The Minister reminded motorists that they could read about the conditions on the pass at www.chapmanspeakdrive.co.za.
The 9 km drive has 114 curves around Chapman's Peak and is considered one of the most spectacular marine drives in the world, with beautiful surroundings and picnic areas.
The road surface was laid on the solid and conveniently located 630 million year old Cape Granite contour, while the many roadside cuttings were carved out of the more workable Malmesbury series sediments. In 1915, with the use of convict labour supplied by the newly formed Union Government, construction began from the Hout Bay end and, in the following year, work began from Noordhoek. The first portion of the road to the Lookout was opened in 1919.
This spectacular roadway took seven years to complete, at a cost of £20 000. The Hout Bay/Noordhoek Road was opened to traffic on Saturday, 6 May 1922.
Road users can contact the Entilini offices in Hout Bay or Noordhoek to discuss the best discount package for them.