Today Parliament is discussing the abolition of tolls on the former SCUT

This Thursday, the Assembly of the Republic, at the initiative of the PS, is discussing the abolition of tolls on the former SCUT highways, proposals with an uncertain outcome, since the parties have not “opened the game” regarding the voting directions.

The PS bill, which leader Pedro Nuno Santos announced during the debate on Luis Montenegro’s government program in early April, was joined by bills from BE and PCP, as well as draft resolutions (without force law) of IL. , PSD/CDS-PP, PAN and Chega. Given the current geometry of the Assembly of the Republic and the fact that the parties do not tell Lusa what direction the vote will be on the various initiatives, the result of these votes is still unknown.

For the PS proposal to be approved, Chega must abstain or vote in favor, but the party led by Andre Ventura did not want to indicate the direction of its vote.

Chega presented a draft resolution that would provide a phased toll waiver plan to be implemented over six years. The proposal is at odds with the PS Bill, which aims to abolish tolls on former SCUTs from January next year.

Chega also recommends “reducing toll rates by 15%” this year and by 25% “on roads in the interior and the Algarve.” The PS proposal aims to abolish tolls on the motorways A4 – Transmontana and Tunnel do Maran, A13 and A13-1 – Inland Pinhal, A22 – Algarve, A23 – Inland Beira, A24 – Inland Norte, A25 – Beiras Litoral and Alta and A28 – Minho. in the areas between Esposende and Antas and between Neiva and Darke.

The BE and PCP bills operate in the same spirit and with only minor differences in the routes covered. The blockers intend to abolish tolls on highways leading to the interior (A22, A23, A24, A25, A28, A29, A41, A42), and the communists want to abolish these tolls on highways A4, A13, A22, A23, A24. A25, A28, A29, A41 and A42.

The government parties, PSD and SDS-PP, came together on a draft resolution recommending a gradual and fiscally responsible reduction of tolls in the hinterland and in major metropolitan areas, intending for the executive to present to parliament the costs associated with the adoption of this measure and a study. establishing baseline values ​​to cover road maintenance costs.

Also, without the force of law, IL recommends that the government evaluate the cost-benefit of exempting the old SCUT from tolls, and PAN suggests reviewing public-private partnership contracts in the road sector.