Skip to main content

Portuguese firms want compensation for tolling licence plate chip system

Several Portuguese motorway concession companies want to be paid compensation by Estradas de Portugal (EP), the state-owned road agency, to help cover the increased costs resulting from the launch of systems to cover toll fees using licence plate chip solutions. The contracts signed by Baixo Tejo, Litoral Oeste and Pinhal Interior between 2008 and 2010 covered the mandatory use of licence plate chip systems, whereby they would be responsible for fees and other related costs. However, the project was altered
August 12, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Several Portuguese motorway concession companies want to be paid compensation by 1410 Estradas de Portugal (EP), the state-owned road agency, to help cover the increased costs resulting from the launch of systems to cover toll fees using licence plate chip solutions.

The contracts signed by Baixo Tejo, Litoral Oeste and Pinhal Interior between 2008 and 2010 covered the mandatory use of licence plate chip systems, whereby they would be responsible for fees and other related costs. However, the project was altered in 2010 so that it was no longer mandatory but rather served as an alternative payment format. As such, they are asking for around €100 million in compensation.

Meanwhile, EP, Via Verde, 2769 Ascendi and Capgemini are working on a new toll system to be used by travellers which could result in the end of the post-payment solution in favour of a temporary system for sporadic users or mandatory devices. It is claimed the new solution could result in a 40% increase in revenues and reduce frauds.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Are road tolls the economic answer?
    November 12, 2012
    Tolling has been widely promoted as the answer to future road needs by many economists. The fundamental principle of a toll road is comparatively easy to understand: a driver wants to get from here to there and pays a small sum for the privilege. Drivers generally prefer to access roads without having to pay but the sums involved in toll roads tend to be comparatively low. For all but the most parsimonious, parting with a few coins to use a stretch of highway in good order is comparatively painless, made ev
  • New York governor aims to freeze Thruway tolls, including Tappaen Zee Bridge
    January 11, 2016
    The governor of the US state New York, Andrew Cuomo, said he wants to spend US$22 billion over the next five year on maintaining aging roads and bridges. Cuomo also wants to give the agency responsible for maintaining the state’s major cross-state tolled freeway, the 920km Thruway, $1 billion so the agency – New York State Thruway Authority - can freeze tolls at their current rate until 2020. US media reported that his plan would also eliminate tolls for agricultural traffic. He would also offer a t
  • The era of workzone data
    July 4, 2018
    Portable work zone messaging is now integral - not an add-on - when it comes to safety on large-scale highway projects. Andrew Williams* reports. Portable work zone ITS solutions have emerged in recent years as important flexible tools for managing major roadwork projects, from new-build to upgrades. They effectively ensure traffic disruption is kept to a minimum and lives can be saved. As such, the technology forms a central component of a major €1.7 billion project in the southern English county of Cambr
  • Turkey is investing in new motorway and bridge projects
    May 29, 2013
    Turkey is benefiting from new motorway and bridge projects constructed along the BOT model - Gülay Malkoç. Looking at Turkey’s economic development, road construction plays a crucial role. The investment in Turkey is becoming increasingly attractive for both local and foreign investors. There are significant huge road investments and projects being made in Turkey at present, compared with EU countries where the roads need mostly repair and maintenance. According to the approach of Turkey’s Ministry of Trans