On its commencement planned for the summer of 2013, lorries will mandatorily join the system of electronic road toll charged on the basis of the distance travelled. Simultaneously with adoption, measures will be taken to offset public road forwarders’ increasing burdens. Passenger cars and buses will remain subject to the current Eurovignette (E-vignette) system. Conversion will be voluntary for these vehicles at the earliest half a year after adoption of the new system. Thus, ad-hoc users may make considerable savings compared to the E-vignette system. Those who regularly travel long distances will be allowed to capitalise on flat rate.
The Government has decided the duties related to the introduction and the fundamental operating framework of the system of electronic road tolls charged on the basis of the distance travelled. In this solution, extensively applied all over Europe, users contribute to road maintenance costs in proportion to use. More balanced charges on goods traffic may offset at least a part of the road damages and the environment pollution caused. The adoption of the e-toll will reduce the competitive disadvantage of railways due to the line toll charged. Lower shipping costs will also increase the competitiveness of local and domestic goods and services.
Electronic toll collection is planned to start on 1 July 2013 on clearways and the main roads of the national public road network outside communities, charged for lorries above 3.5 t permitted mass.The vehicles can travel on the toll road sections without gates and stopping, upon installation of an on-board device. The distance travelled and the authorisation is checked electronically.
The actually applicable rates will be set after updating the previously elaborated toll policy principles and following consultation with the concerned institutions of the European Union. Six months after the adoption of the e-toll, a discount system will be put in place for frequent users. In compliance with the European Union’s applicable regulation, discounts may not exceed 13 percent.
Public procurement for the purchase of the devices required for the installation and operation of the toll collection system as well as consultancy will start in the framework of summary proceedings in the first half of this year. Similarly to the E-vignette system, the toll collection function may be played by the State Motorway Management Co. Ltd. by legislative appointment. The State Motorway Management Co. Ltd. will finance the equipment purchase from a loan and repay it from the tolls collected.
According to preliminary calculations and the international experiences, this investment repays within a few years. The maximum toll revenue may amount to ten times the costs in the first decade.The additional funds must be reinvested in the entire transport sectors, primarily in the toll road sections, followed by the other parts of the public road network. In the feasible order, it can be used for maintaining the existing infrastructure, and the availability fees of motorway sections built and operated in PPP projects, followed by new projects (e.g. own contributions to project implemented with financing from the European Union).
(Ministry of National Development , Department of Communication)
