“I am not against this measure [abolition of tolls on highways in the Interior and Algarve known as ex-Scut]. I am against the same gauge not being used for an important part of the interior of Alentejo”.

Speaking about the end of tolls in the former Scut, in force since Wednesday, José Manuel Santos said he sees “with displeasure” that there is “unequal treatment” of the Alentejo, in an area that “affects the tourist competitiveness of the interior territories ”.

On the one hand, he highlighted, the abolition of tolls on highways goes “in the right direction”, as it constitutes “a stimulus and an incentive for the movement of people, including tourists, to the interior territories, particularly the north and center”.

“But, on the other hand, there is unequal treatment given to the territories of Central Alentejo and a little of Alto Alentejo, which are crossed by the A6 motorway, where we even see that there is an increase in the cost of tolls”, he highlighted.

According to the president of the Regional Tourism Entity (ERT) of Alentejo and Ribatejo, the toll price for light vehicles on the Marateca - Caia section of the A6 increased, on Wednesday, by 35 cents.

“It can be said that it is a slight increase of 35 cents for those who travel the Marateca – Caia section, but it is not a stimulus” for tourists to travel to the region, he highlighted, insisting on the idea that this difference is unfair.

Pointing out that “the national tourist is a customer more sensitive to the price factor”, the official warned that maintaining the toll on the A6 and even increasing the price “does not help the tourist competitiveness of Alentejo, essentially for the domestic market”.

“We want the Alentejo to be a holiday destination for all those who want to come and enjoy the hospitality, quality and diversity of our tourist resources and products and we are concerned that there are measures that go towards favoring other regions of the country”, he added.

Tolls were abolished on the A4 - Transmontana and Túnel do Marão, A13 and A13-1 - Pinhal Interior, A22 - Algarve, A23 - Beira Interior, A24 - Interior Norte, A25 - Beiras Litoral and Alta and A28 - Minho, the latter only in the stretches between Esposende and Antas and between Neiva and Darque.