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A real eye opener as nothing has been spent on this route in maintenance since I last travelled over 4 years ago. A welcome back that made you think why didn't I just fly?
Today I drove down from Johannesburg to Durban on the N3 which is a National road. The last time I have driven this route was over 4 years ago which was something I used to do regularly for work and pleasure.
I arrived at the first toll booth to find out debit cards are not accepted as it is cash or credit cards only. The last time I had cash on me was most likely 4 years ago so I had to turn around wasting an hour to the nearest ATM. Who carries cash these days?
The first petrol station we stopped at had run out of fuel and only had diesel and you knew it was going to be one of those days. The next petrol station had only 1 of the two variants we use so was happy to fill up.
Over R2 Billion generated among this toll route during covid times and they have let the product that earns them the money deteriorate into a death trap.
What was evident since my last journey down this route was the spike in toll fees and the deterioration of the road surface. The service stations along the route were in some serious need of upgrades and just driving past them made you grateful you weren't stopping for food or snacks.
There were one or two service hot spots along the way which have survived the lockdowns unscathed, but the others have notably suffered or shut down permanently.
The road surface was not a National road standard and in some parts a 4 x 4 would have not gone a miss. Trucks pounding up and down using this 570 Km stretch of road has taken it's toll on the surface. I am what I would call an experienced driver with advanced skills and I would not drive this road at night. The one or two key areas with re routing happening is seriously dangerous and one wonders where is the truck escape routes or sand traps for the steep hills have disappeared.
One wonders where all the money earned via tolls goes as the upkeep should be the justification of increased tolls. No one would argue or complain if the services and upkeep kept everything top notch.
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Thanks for the update, we were particularly planning on a trip from Joburg to Durban, though it doesn't come as a surprise the degradation, and the toll fee increasing, eish.
Tell me...You seem to say that some places have closed down along the N3, does it mean there is scarcity of certain things? Tell me what you're struggling to find for example, so we have an idea what to expect after 3 years.
Lol. You need cash or credit card for 1 which I found odd as no debit cards accepted. Fuel shortages plus the best and cleanest stop is Ladysmith services. Will check on the way back on the 2nd and seriously would seriously consider flying if I had to do this again. Will cost you R2000 with tolls and fuel alone for a round trip. SAF air has a special running now for 16 flights anywhere in the country for R8000 and if you are coming would seriously consider this as you could go to Cape Town and Durban.
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I'll take that in note, 8k per seat, it's zar40k for 5 seats!
What you said about never having cash on you is rather surprising, especially knowing it's always good to keep some in case we bump into cops.
No 8k for 16 flights so R500 per flight or seat which is nothing. Yes normally I would have back up as always kept R50 in my wallet and rest of cash under the seat. First time though I have travelled with nothing.
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Oh wow! This is an interesting deal now, and makes much more sense. Dirt cheap to be honest, I am getting used to pricey euro price haha, I think that's also why need to come back home, to save a little!
Yep I was doing the same thing, cash hidden, and one bill in the wallet! That's the other thing we going to need to get used to again. Closing windows, doors, double checking that everything is secured, we got a bit soft overseas.🤣
That's mad. if they take credit cards , you would think they would take debit cards. I hate walking in anywhere and they only take cash. Wrecks my head
That blew my mind as it made me turn around going hunting for an ATM 35 minutes back up the road. I found 3 as the first 2 had no cash and knew the day was going to be a difficult one.
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I think the more the years go by, it should be easier for people to use several payment methods and avoid this kind of situations that only complicate everyone, I actually never have cash in my wallet, because of what I mentioned before.
Yeah, for sure. That is horrible. We have some toll roads here, but they are always in really great shape because that is what the money goes towards. Just another example of the corruption that is rampant over there.