newintavira

Agree completely....

bejaboz

Automatic identification is probably cheaper to implement and doesn't require staff 24/7 to collect the toll fees, account for them and handle the cash. Also, booths tend to be far apart and on long motorways, on the A22 you'd need a lot of them as people do short journeys along the Algarve, so you'd require as many booths as there are Gantries, otherwise they'd miss a lot of traffic.

EsuriJohn

Thats the nub of the problem the A22 is so lightly trafficed from the eastern end you would never gather enough tolls to pay the capital and runing costs. The overhead camera system is a cheap solution just the collection system is barmy. Outside Dublin there is a length of motorway that has overhead cameras and you can if you are a frequent user have a transponder linked to a subscription account but there is an option that you can log on and pay by internet for single journeys we have done this twice seperated by many months and it works fine. Big signs tell you of this alternative before the start of the tolled section and you can leave if you do not want to pay. You have two weeks to pay before you are in default.

Joao

I presume it is written in English, whereas the A22 information would be written in Portuguese
Joao

EsuriJohn

Or Gaelic

The_Hog

I also noticed the other day that motorcycles are to be charged the same as cars.
Firstly, is that really fair? Secondly, How do you get a transponder for a motorcycle that isn't easily stolen/removed?

EsuriJohn

Whats more important can they be sure to photograph the number plate.

TaviraTrog

There you've hit the nail on the head. A friend of mine recently got a demand for outstanding toll fees from somewhere up Porto way. When he finally managed to get hold of the right person on the phone and explained that he lives in the Algarve and was not up north on the days specified the person on the other end asked him to wait while he checked. Turned out they had misread one on the digits.

Jon-Bxl

Here is a link to a photo of the noticeboard about the tolls.

As mentioned before this does not really work in practice when renting cars.....

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showp...&postcount=135

Joao

Where are these notices going to be displayed and how big are they?
Joao

Jon-Bxl

Hi Joao - I took the photo at the tourist office next to the bridge to Spain...

Jon

Joao

I wonder how many people will stop there on their way through to read that notice, then they have to find a post office that is open or the nearest petrol station. I don't think this is going to be easy for your normal tourist
Joao

Jon-Bxl

As I said this whole thing isnt fully thought out - especially for renters..... I saw the sign when we were getting some leaflets and took the photo. Most people wont even think of stopping there for toll info........

Jon

CHOPPER

Its not just the tourists having trouble, have been twice in the last 2 weeks to the post office in Tavira for a transponder and they did not have any and no clue when they were coming in.

lagosguy

Looks like the plans are still being finalised. Apparently no tolls on the A22 before the end of the year; but none of the previously announced concessions or discounts either.

http://sol.sapo.pt/inicio/Sociedade/...ntent_id=29217

You just have to love the idiots who run the country. They introduce tolls on roads which were supposed to be free. Result: a 50% reduction in usage. Response: cancel the concessions and discounts in order to raise more money. Inevitable result: even more motorists will be forced off, or choose to avoid, the SCUTs. The anticipated the income will drop even more, and, in the case of the A22, the cost of accidents, deaths, injuries and routine maintenance on the N125 will rise dramatically.