The Association of Motorcycle Imported and Distributors (Amid) has lodged a complaint with the Competition Commission against the National Road Agency, stating that its excessive toll fees were detrimental to consumers.

The Association of Motorcycle Imported and Distributors (Amid) has lodged a complaint with the Competition Commission against the National Road Agency, stating that its excessive toll fees were detrimental to consumers.

Earlier this year, the National Road Agency (NRA) would not consider the Amid’s requests to create a separate, safer lane at toll plazas for motorcycles, and to drastically reduce, or exempt, motorcycles toll fees.

Amid has now lodged a formal complaint with the Competition Commission over what it terms the “excessive” toll fees demanded of motorcyclists. The complaint was brought against the National Road Agency, who manages the national road network and owns 69 toll plazas.

Amid argued that the agency, by charging motorcycles the same fee as light cars, including those towing carriers and trailers, and minibuses, contravened section 8a of the Competition Act that prohibits the charging of an excessive price when it is detrimental to consumers.

A motorcycle, according to Amid, uses on average 50 per cent less space and its weight has a lesser impact on roads than heavier vehicles. International research has shown that toll agencies typically charge a reduced rate of up to 50 per cent of the fee charged for light vehicles.

Locally, the Chapman’s Peak Drive toll plaza, which is owned by the Western Cape Provincial Government, charges motorcycles 36 per cent less than light vehicles, which Amid says highlights the excessive fees being charged at NRA sites.

National director of Amid, Andre van Rooyen, said in a statement: “I am confident that the Competition Commission will find that AMID has a valid reason for our Complaint. It is understood that should the Competition Commission find that the National Road Agency is in fact charging Motorcycles excessive toll fees, the Agency could face a penalty of up to 10 per cent of its annual turnover.”

Many motorcyclists are calling for the start of protest action at toll plazas, though this has been discouraged and restricted to isolated incidents.

The renewed complaint was issued as Amid reported motorcycle and quadrucycle sales increases for November. Sales in the segments were up by 38,7 per cent compared with the same period in 2004.

Sales of 40 000 units for this year appear certain, and with several exciting new models scheduled for 2006, continued growth is expected.

Original article from Car