Are highway tolls in Poland too low? The government plans to expand the list of toll roads

Draft regulation extending from December 1 this year. a network of roads covered by electronic toll collection of approximately 645 km was included on Tuesday in the list of legislative and program works of the Council of Ministers. A week ago, information about such government plans was provided by the Ministry of Finance.

Currently, the electronic toll is collected for vehicles weighing over 3.5 tons on approximately 5,225 km of national roads, and after the planned extension, the toll will be collected on approximately 5,869 km (extension by approximately 645 km).

The entry posted on the Chancellery of the Prime Minister's website states that the electronic toll rates, indexed from 2022 in line with inflation, does not provide sufficient funds for road investments, nor is it close to the levels applicable in neighboring countries.

The change is intended to raise additional funds for infrastructure development, reduce pollution and adjust transit costs to EU rates.

It was added that the proposed regulations are also intended to support the shift of some transport from road to rail and inland navigation.

A week ago, the Ministry of Finance announced that the extension of the electronic toll collection system to include further sections aims to standardize the toll road network and maintain the tightness of selected communication routes.

The estimated effect of the action in 2026 will amount to PLN 2,771 million. The forecasted revenues represent the increase in revenues to the National Road Fund after the expansion of the toll road network and the change in toll rates. (…) The planned revenues in 2026 were based on data and calculations from the KFD Plan for 2026, taking into account the increase in the electronic toll rate by approximately 42%. – the ministry informed then.

The KFD plan from August this year included planned revenues from toll collection of PLN 6.6 billion for next year.

Most recently, the toll road network was expanded by approximately 1,600 km in November last year.

In Poland, toll collection is carried out by e-TOLL and is carried out using a satellite system. This means that there is no need to install devices for this purpose on the roads. (PAP)

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