“I don’t agree, it’s unfair”: Infrastructure Minister defends revision of national travel costs

The infrastructure minister told parliament on Wednesday that he was comfortable with passing legislation to abolish tolls in the former Skat despite the opposition, and said toll prices across the country should be reviewed.

“I don’t agree, it’s unfair, it doesn’t concern the country as a whole, there are citizens who pay high fees, and we must review them from the north to the south of the country and try to reduce them. All so that there is justice, and not indirectly and opportunistically solve this or that problem,” said Miguel Pinto Luz in response to deputies of the Committee on Economy, Public Works and Housing.

However, despite the disagreements, the government respects the decision of the President of the Republic and “looks calmly at the publication.”

“We are awaiting publication and will set out the government’s position on the issues made public in due course,” he added.

The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, on Tuesday announced seven parliamentary decrees on the IRS, including rate reductions, VAT on electricity and the abolition of tolls, five of which were approved by the opposition, while the PSD and CDS voted against.

The measure to abolish tolls was approved by Parliament in June, with the aim of ending tolls on the A4 – Transmontana and Tunnel do Marão, A13 and A13-1 – Pinhal Interior, A22 – Algarve, A23 – Beira Interior, A24 – Norte Interior, A25 – Beiras Litoral and Alta and A28 – Minho on the sections between Esposende and Antas and between Neiva and Darke, from 1 January 2025.

According to PS, which was the driving force behind the measure, which was approved by Parliament, the budgetary effect will amount to 157 million euros.