Pedro Marques, the Minister for Panning and infrastructure, says the government has kept its part of the bargain and, as the August 1st reduction in tolls on some of the country’s roads is going to cost €15 million in lost revenue, the public can expect no more concessions.
The 15% reduction on a handful of formerly free roads, including the Algarve’s Via do Infante, may cause a loss of annual revenue but the minister did promising to re-evaluate the collection system and the impact of the price reduction when more time has passed.
Marques (pictured below) was in the Algarve to preside over the opening of the Mediterranean Diet Fair* but brought up the topic of tolls to try and put a positive spin on the controversial matter.
The minister said the reduction has allowed the Portuguese to “save tens of thousands of euros" in just one month.
"Soon, we will take stock of how we did in this first month of toll reductions. But let me stress that there was a reduction and that the Government's commitment in the election campaign has been fulfilled," said Marque, conveniently forgetting António Costa’s promise to scrap tolls in the Algarve should he be elected as prime minister.
The meager reduction, protestors want 100% and other at least 50%, was "possible without jeopardising the accounts of Infraestruturas de Portugal and the public accounts."
A group of economists and professors at the University of the Algarve, reported that a big reduction in tolls will increase overall revenue.
The study concludes that "it is technically possible to reduce the tolls on the A22 by up to 50% with gains for individuals, families and businesses in the region and without any increase in public spending as the ‘elasticity effect’ will increased demand when the cost of travel is reduced."
Marques said "Some say it was too little. I recognise and understand that. But people also understand that things have to be done sustainably, with our feet on the ground. Still, it was a significant reduction," argued the minister without proffering a definition of ‘sustainably’ in this new and exciting context.
The minister avoided addressing the deeper public concern that tolls on the Via do Infante, charged and collected by a private concession holder, costs the country far more in toll and mysterious support payments than the previous system of free travel.
Until a government has the cojones to explain the Via do Infante concession deal to the public, outlining the cost of withdrawing from the contract, ministerial utterings will remain in the file marked 'unbelievable and not to be trusted.'
Anti-toll group CUVI were not best pleased, stating later Pedro Marques “forgot to mention the toll prices on the A22 were already 30% more expensive than in the rest of Portugal” so that even after the 15% reduction, “the A22's tolls are still more expensive than the others."
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* 4th Mediterranean Diet Fair – Tavira’s historical centre, eastern Algarve. .
An Algarve event for all ages to learn about healthy living, the Mediterranean way. Farmer’s market, children’s area and activities, Mediterranean garden, food tasting, music, dance, walks, educational seminars and exhibitions.
From 11:00 to 24:00 September 1 to 4.
