By CHRIS GRAEME
chris.graeme@theresidentgroup.com
Opposition parties in parliament say they will oppose a controversial new law forcing all vehicles to have a road toll charge microchip.
The new measure proposed by the Government, which will come into force as law on July 1, is similar to the Via Verde system (non-stop lane at a motorway toll) and is aimed at forcing motorists to pay tolls on previously toll-free SCUT roads.
However, it was announced this week that the government is still to decide whether toll-free motorways such as the Algarve’s Via do Infante (A22), the A25 (Aveiro-Vilar Formoso), the A24 (Viseu-Chaves) and A23 (Torres Novas-Guarda) will have the toll system introduced.
The chip, which can be fixed to the vehicle windscreen and will be free for the first six months, is expected to be available from June 21 at Via Verde shops and the Post Office. According to press reports this week, the device should cost 19 euros and until the chip arrives, a pre order receipt will be enough as proof to be able to drive on SCUT roads without incurring a fine.
Motorists will have the opportunity to pay to use non-Via Verde roads in the same way as current Via Verde motorway users pay now, whereby the money is automatically deducted from customers’ bank accounts.
Charges to use individual stretches of SCUT road will vary according to the stretch involved.
To use the stretch on the A28 between Porto and Viana do Castelo, drivers can expect to pay a total of 4.05 euros. A journey between Gaia and Aveiro will cost 3.10 euros and between Lousada (A11) and Matosinhos 3.65 euros. A similar journey from Porto down to Aveiro using the A44, A29 and A25 will set motorists back 2.35 euros.
The three areas so far most affected by the new law are the Greater Porto Concession, the North Coastal Concession and the Silver Coast Concession.
However, the Government plans to introduce the scheme on all non-privately owned ‘A’ roads in the coming months.
Since the electronic reading machines are only placed at intervals on some stretches, critics of the system claim it is unworkable since motorists will find out where the machines are and go onto B roads to bypass the charges, causing chaos and congestion in rural areas.
But motorists caught without the automatic charge chip will be fined anywhere from between 600 to 3,000 euros.
Maintenance fee
The Government has introduced what it calls “token charges” to pay for the upkeep of the nation’s non-privately owned highway infrastructure during a time of considerable financial and budgetary belt-tightening in which dozens of new and non-approved highway and motorway projects have been shelved by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.
However, haulier and transport associations and local municipal authorities say that the new tolls will only push up transport costs which will be passed on to consumers.
Opponents argue that the new chip will also cause problems for foreign visitors in Portugal since there are no plans, for the moment, to introduce pay-as-you-go toll booths on stretches of road.
They say they won’t understand the complicated toll system and won’t know where they can buy a chip.
Parties on the left, centre and far right have all criticised the new law with the PSD, CDS, PCP and BE saying they will all present a motion in Parliament on June 24 to have the law revoked.
The Government decision means that all motorists who do not have Via Verde must buy the chip. Those with Via Verde will have the tolls discounted in the normal way from their existing chip.
New vehicles sold with this year’s licence plate will already have the new chip incorporated, while all other vehicles that do not have Via Verde will have to buy the chip at the more than 900 post offices (CTT) up and down the country, at Via Verde shops or on the Internet at sites to be announced shortly.
Do you have a view on this story? Please email Editor Inês Lopes at ines.lopes@theresidentgroup.com
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