Yesterday, the Government approved a 50% reduction in tolls for the former SCUT roads, namely the A22-Algarve (Via do Infante), A23 – IP, A23 – Beira Interior, A24 - North Interior, A25 – Beiras Litoral and Alta, A28 – Norte Litoral, Grande Porto (A41, A42) as of July 1st.
The measure, proposed by the PSD, was approved by parliament under the State Budget Law for 2021, providing 50% discounts on toll fees for all combustion vehicles and 75% for electric and non-polluting vehicles, from July 1st.
Minister of Territorial Cohesion, Ana Abrunhosa, highlighted that she has always been "an advocate of reducing tolls", but gradually, "because the impacts are high".
She then pointed out that the 50% reduction in tolls in the former SCUT also "implies complex contractual issues" with concessions and sub-concessions, with whom it is necessary to "negotiate financial balances", considering that a large part of the concessions ends in 2023.
The Government estimated an impact of 160 million euros annually due to this reduction in tolls.
Reductions currently in force, at the initiative of the Government, since January 11th this year, provide reductions between 25% and 55%, depending on the vehicle class and the day or night period, and have had a financial impact on the infrastructure of Portugal in excess of 2.6 million euros.
At the end of May, the Platform for the Replacement of SCUT A23 and A25 stated that, even if this discount enters into force, they will maintain the fight for the abolition of tolls and defended the need for more steps to be taken in the path of "progressive reductions ", until the total abolition of payments.
Original article available in Portuguese at http://postal.pt/
