Passenger cars are not subject to additional discounts introduced from Thursday on old tracks free of charge for users (scut). The decree, published by the government two hours after the new rules came into force, details the price reductions that motorists are entitled to, depending on the type of vehicle.
The government has also changed almost all of the toll rate reference tables, with the exception of the A4 sections at Túnel do Marão and Vila Real-Bragança (Quintanilha), A13 and A 13-1.
On other routes, the 50% discount applies to fares until January 10 of this year, and not to the amounts specified in the 25% discount scheme that was in effect until the end of last month. Drivers only pay less if they install an electronic device such as Via Verde. Vehicles for collective transport of passengers and goods will have to request a certificate from the Institute of Mobility and Transport.
Four examples
On the A4 motorway – Túnel do Marão and Vila Real-Bragança (Quintanilha – if you have a class 1 car, from the first to the seventh day of travel of each month there is always a 15% discount on tolls. From the eighth day and later). the price is 25% and applies to the discounted rate. For example, a passenger car will pay 50 cents instead of 60 cents at the connection between Parada de Cunhos and the Vila Real Sul junction if you travel in the first seven days. days of the month; from the eighth onwards, it will be 35 cents per ride due to rounding. Additional discounts are provided to owners of cars of classes 2, 3 and 4. Travel from 8 am to 7:59 am on weekdays includes a 35% discount; if the trip is made outside of this period, the price is reduced by 55% at the rate with a 15% discount.
In the center of the country, access roads A13 and A13-1 of the Pinhal Interior subconcession receive only a 25% discount on passenger cars from the eighth of the month. Until then, a fixed amount is paid. There are more discounts for other classes: travel from 8:00 to 19:59 on weekdays includes a 35% discount on the cost of the table or 25% from the eighth day of each month; outside this moment, the decrease reaches 55%.
On the A22, A23 and A24 motorways and on the A25 Albergaria-Vilar Formoso section, in the new reference tables, half the price will be charged by 10 January this year. Vehicles in Classes 2, 3 and 4 are also eligible for an additional 15% discount if they use the lane from 8:00 AM to 7:59 PM on weekdays, or 40% if they travel outside of business hours.
On the A4 Sendim-Aguas Santas, A17, A25 Aveiro (Barra) -Albergaria, A28, A29, A41 and A42, there are additional discounts only for cars in classes 2, 3 and 4, which run from 20 to 7.59 hours on weekdays … or on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. The ride costs 30% less than the reference values.
Influence
The party-approved measure for this year’s state budget will cost from 117 to 149 million euros, according to the conclusion of the Budget Technical Support Department (UTAO) of the Assembly of the Republic. The government has estimated the impact at 160 million euros annually.
new discounts
A supporter of toll cuts, Territorial Cohesion Minister Ana Abrunhosa has already recognized new future discounts on the A22 and the hinterland to cut costs and improve driver safety.
Solutions that use a mobile phone as a fare payment device are already being tested. Satelise mobile apps (for A22 and A28) and even Ascendi Go (for A4, A41 and A42) can be installed on mobile phones and automatically record trips and expenses without distracting drivers.
