Easter weekend is just around the corner. It is the time of year where almost everyone takes a short break to relax and unwind after a busy start.
Bakwena Platinum Corridor Concessionaire (Pty) Ltd (Bakwena) encourages road users to plan their journeys in advance this Easter period as it expects thousands more vehicles along the route, particularly the N1 north to Polokwane for the annual Zion Christian Church Easter Festival.
Bakwena spokesperson, Charmaine van Wyk, says Bakwena has implemented various measures to ensure the safety of motorists such as collaborating again with Motus Corporation and Hyundai South Africa for six patrol vehicles, handed over on Wednesday 20 March 2019. This initiative is in its eighth year and has successfully contributed towards the reduction of fatal crashes along the N1N4 route. These vehicles
assist with visible policing, crash assistance as well as assisting road users who find themselves in difficulties along the route.
Busy conditions are expected over the Easter weekend, between 2400 and 2800 vehicles per hour are expected to pass through Pumulani and Carousel toll plazas during peak periods, says van Wyk. For those traveling with e-tags, ensure your tag is topped up before your journey to minimize delays using the dedicated e-tag lanes. Registered e-tag users can pay their accounts via Sanral Customer Service Centre, EFT, Sanral Call Centre, at selected Checkers, Pick ‘n Pay and Shoprite stores or via the Sanral app. For road users wanting to get an e-tag, there will be an e-toll vehicle stationed on the N1 north at Panorama Petroport over the Easter period.
Road users are encouraged to plan their journeys to avoid travelling in the peak periods. Peak periods are expected as follows:-
N1 Northbound & N4 Westbound
Thursday 18 th April between 12:00 and 21:00
Friday 19 th April between 06:00 and 12:00
N1 Southbound & N4 Eastbound
Monday 22 nd April between 12:00 and 21:00
Bakwena reminds road users to stop and take regular breaks during their journey. Look out for your complimentary coffee voucher, courtesy of McDonalds Bela Bela and Bakwena, being handed out at Carousel plaza northbound on the 18 th & 19 TH April valid till the 1 st May 2019 encouraging road users to stop and take a break.
Bakwena’s Customer Care number 0800 BAKWENA / 0800 2259362 is available to assist road users in the event of an emergency while travelling the N1N4 route.
For live traffic updates over the Easter weekend, you can follow Bakwena on twitter: @BakwenaN1N4.
Bakwena would like to wish travellers a safe and enjoyable Easter break.