BRATISLAVA, August 15, (WEBNOVINY) — Transport Minister Jan Figel (KDH) thinks that the contractual relationship between the National Highway Company (NDS) and the e-toll system operator SkyToll, a.s. should be modified to balance the e-toll system. He considers the existing relationship disadvantageous for the state and advantageous for the operator. “Contractual relations and investments, which are very demanding, have been defined for thirteen years, which is also why the e-toll system is now in the red,” said Figel for the SITA news agency, adding that he finds this to be a problem.
“We need to look at toll collection as a modernization instrument that helps to facilitate more fluent and reliable transport regulated on the basis of payment considering the substantial state budget gap and development plans. Toll collection is also a source of maintenance and development of the road network,” continued Figel. Although the e-toll collection system has been in operation for two years now, it is still plagued by doubt regarding the tender for selection of a supplier.
Problems are connected also with the unresolved dispute between Slovakia and the European Commission over its reservations to the e-toll tender. “It was not just the European Commission that saw the whole procurement process of the e-toll collection operator as in conflict with the European law. I intend to prevent further sanctions against Slovakia. I find this crucial. If Slovak citizens had to pay for an expensive tender, they should not bear the costs again if the dispute is lost in Brussels,“ said Figel.
Revenues from the operation of the e-toll collection system were expected to finance construction and maintenance of the highway network after it was introduced at the beginning of 2010. These plans have not been fulfilled yet, as the additional burden on public finances substantially limits sources for development of the road infrastructure. The effectiveness of the e-toll collection system is negative because revenues from the collected toll are lower than the impact related to putting the system into operation and turnover in this development cannot be expected before 2014. The passive balance amounted to EUR 91.81 million last year and should soften to EUR 89.43 this year and EUR 48.16 million next year. The negative balance in the collected toll can be expected also in 2013 and 2014 at EUR 55.38 million and EUR 52.81 million, respectively.
SITA