“We have already reduced tolls and we are committed to continuing to reduce them”, said Ana Abrunhosa at a hearing at the Commission for Public Administration, Spatial Planning and Local Power made at the request of the PSD and PS.
In the debate, motivated by the working visit of the parliamentary commission to the Intermunicipal Community of the Algarve (AMAL), made in early May, the minister stressed that “the best solution” would be to have no tolls.
In this part of the hearing, the government official addressed the problem of the EN (National Road) 125, which passes through various locations, causing traffic problems in various parts of the Algarve.
“Which means that a large part of the circulation has to be done on Via do Infante, which means that tolls are a context cost here”, explained Ana Abrunhosa, who indicated that “very soon” there will be “news”.
The Minister for Territorial Cohesion also mentioned that the Algarve region has a large circulation of foreign vehicles, with the occupants of these drivers finding it difficult to understand how to pay the tolls.
The way the A22 is being exploited by Via Verde is a disgrace: this highway was built with EU money. The Portuguese government committed to taking care of it. Instead, the gave the rights to a private company that is doing a terrible job maintaining and exploiting it. This can only happen in Portugal, where the people prefer to just let it be, instead of taking this to the highest court.
By Michel from Algarve on 07 Jun 2023, 17:21
Unlike last time why don’t you stop the operator increasing prices the day before you reduce them ?
While you are at it how about considering the vast waste of resources caused by so many people using the single lane N125 because it’s free .
By George from Algarve on 07 Jun 2023, 20:02
Is it not about time the EU stopped the Portuguese government collecting revenue from roads paid for with EU money? How many government officials have shares or board room places in these road operators? An utter travesty and a shambolic government.
By Ian from Beiras on 08 Jun 2023, 06:38
Two comments refer to these motorways having been built with eu money. The eu has no money. What they have is from taxpayers in each individual country. You and I have paid for these roads not the eu.
By John Broadbent from UK on 08 Jun 2023, 10:39
The socialists will do anything to pocket money for themselves. Develop the country? No. Educate people? No. Taxation and more taxation is the only thing those socialist thieves know how to do.
By k from Other on 08 Jun 2023, 10:48
John. Don’t be a pedant. We know where the money actually comes from, and how the EU beaucrats fritter it away. That was one of the reasons Brexit passed the post.
By Ian from Beiras on 09 Jun 2023, 06:47
I do not know how the ordinary Portuguese citizen pays the "eye watering" level of tolls on the trip from Lisboa to the Algarve. Where is the money going?
By Orla Dargan from Algarve on 12 Jun 2023, 15:27