EC may seek ‘infringement procedure’ if no Budapest congestion charge by 2015

The European Commission (EC) has urged authorities in the Hungarian capital Budapest to introduce the congestion charge in the city by 2015 at the latest or face EU legal sanctions, according to some press reports. Should the local authorities fail to take the step, the EC may launch an infringement procedure against Budapest. Thus, the city’s leaders would be obliged to repay EU funds worth €641.6 million (HUF 181bn) provided for building Budapest's Metro 4 underground line. Earlier this year, the Hungaria
December 14, 2012 Read time: 1 min
The 2465 European Commission (EC) has urged authorities in the Hungarian capital Budapest to introduce the congestion charge in the city by 2015 at the latest or face 1116 European Union legal sanctions, according to some press reports.

Should the local authorities fail to take the step, the EC may launch an infringement procedure against Budapest. Thus, the city’s leaders would be obliged to repay EU funds worth €641.6 million (HUF 181bn) provided for building Budapest's Metro 4 underground line.

Earlier this year, the Hungarian Parliament failed to pass a proposal on introducing the congestion charge.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Electronic tolling move across Europe
    June 13, 2013
    The European Parliament has adopted a resolution for a strategy in electronic tolling and a vignette system on light private vehicles in Europe. The European Association for tolled motorways, bridges and tunnels (ASECAP) has responded to this resolution, welcoming the European Parliament’s recognition of the user pays and polluter pays principles as key priorities for European transport. However, ASECAP has provided a note of caution in that the resolution fails to address problems that may hinder the deplo
    Read More
  • Construction to start on Hungary’s revamped M4 project in 2016
    July 7, 2015
    The Hungarian government has announced that it will restart work on a new section of the M4 dual carriageway between Albertirsa and Ullo in 2016. Hungarian media reported that the government will invest around €192 million and no funding will come from the European Union, of which the country is a member. The two towns are around 25.5km apart, with Albertirsa closest to the capital Budapest at around 60km. The project should be finished some time in 2019, according to Hungarian media. The announcem
    Read More
  • Landmark ruling by European Commission says tolling existing highways is illegal
    April 25, 2012
    The European Commission has warned Portugal to change national rules on the introduction of tolling that are contrary to Community law, a decision that has widespread implications for similar schemes throughout the rest of Europe depending on how what is becoming a complex legal tangle is resolved. In November, 2010, the Aveiro municipality filed a formal complaint against the Portuguese Government to the European Commission objecting to a tolling scheme on the old SCUT highway. It argued that the system wa
    Read More
  • Bulgaria: back on track?
    July 23, 2012
    Several important Bulgarian road projects are expected to gain momentum over the coming weeks, a welcome boost for a sector that has been beset by delays in the past. In mid-September, the National Road Infrastructure Agency (NRIA) announced that it would soon be declaring new tenders for the construction of two key road projects worth a total of US$94 million (approximately €68.8 million). One section will link the south-eastern city of Kardzhali to Podkova, near the Greek border: the second will connect t
    Read More

Highlighted Content