Tap-to-Pay Coming to SA Toll Plazas: Faster, Safer Journeys Ahead

If you’ve ever sat fuming in a long queue at a toll plaza, fumbling for cash or swiping a card that takes just a little too long to process, relief is on the horizon. By the end of 2025, motorists across South Africa will be able to breeze through toll gates using tap-to-pay technology.

A Shift in the Way SA Travels

SANRAL has confirmed plans to introduce contactless payment options at its 30 self-managed toll plazas. Testing is expected to kick off around October or November 2025, with a full rollout by year’s end. The move brings SANRAL’s toll plazas in line with private operators like N3TC and N4TRAC, who already allow motorists to pay with a quick tap on the N3 and N4 routes.

For many drivers, this change feels long overdue. In a country where time lost in traffic isn’t just a frustration but a daily reality, the ability to tap your card, phone, or smartwatch and move along is a welcome step toward smoother travel.

Why This Matters for Motorists

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has cautiously welcomed the rollout. Stefanie Fick, Executive Director of OUTA’s Accountability Division, said the new system is “a necessary enhancement” that makes toll payments quicker, safer, and more efficient.

The beauty of contactless lies not only in speed but in security. Each tap generates a unique code, making card cloning nearly impossible. Unlike old-school swipes, your personal details aren’t sitting vulnerable in the system.

For families traveling during December holidays or workers stuck in the rush-hour slog, shaving seconds off every transaction could mean the difference between being stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic or cruising ahead.

The Catch: Not Everyone Is Ready

While the shift is undeniably positive, it does raise a question: what about motorists who don’t have access to contactless cards or digital wallets? Fick acknowledged that “not all motorists have the technology,” but she also emphasized SANRAL’s efforts to strike a balance, keeping existing payment methods alongside the new system.

It’s a reminder that while South Africa is moving toward a more digital future, inclusivity will be key.

A Step Toward Digital Transformation

On social media, reactions have been mixed. Some motorists are celebrating the end of what they call “tollgate bottlenecks,” while others worry that technology could fail at peak hours or exclude those who still rely on cash.

But whether embraced with excitement or caution, one thing is clear: the rollout is another sign that South Africa’s road network is catching up with global trends in digital convenience.

And for every driver who’s ever wished for a quicker way through the tolls on a Friday afternoon, the prospect of simply tapping a card and rolling on might just feel revolutionary.

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com