The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works proposes to increase the toll fees in two steps and to expand their network

The increase in tolls for trucks will be introduced in stages. From July 1, heavy traffic will actually be charged for crossing second class roads. Currently, the second-class road network is included in the scope of the toll system, but has a zero rate.

From July 1, it is planned to introduce half of the planned increase so far. The second step - for the remaining 50% of the increase - will take effect on January 1, 2023. Then the total amount of the proposed tariff increase proposed in April this year will be reached. From 2023, the prices of all vignettes will be reduced, according to the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works.

This envisages the project for amendment of the Tariff for tolls for crossing and use of the national road network. Deputy Prime Minister Grozdan Karadzhov presented the changes at a meeting with carriers.

Our proposal for a gradual increase in tariffs is to fulfill the carriers' demand for predictability. Our initial proposal, given the two years in which heavy goods vehicles paid zero rates for the second-class road network, does seem significant. That is why I think it is right to introduce it in two steps. The dialogue with the branch will continue, Minister Karadzhov was categorical.

Next year, the ratio of revenues in the toll system will be reversed. Then heavy traffic will start to pay 2/3 of the revenue, and cars - 1/3 and so the fair principle will be restored that those who use and destroy more, pay more.

Under the option of a gradual increase in tolls, it is proposed from July 1 this year that cars between 3.5 and 12 tons, depending on their eco-category, pay between 6 and 9 stotinki per kilometer traveled on the highway. The tariff for traffic on first class roads will be between 5 and 8 stotinki per kilometer, and for second class roads - between 2 and 3 stotinki. From 1 January 2023, the rates for these vehicles are expected to be between 10 and 13 stotinki per motorway, between 6 and 9 stotinki for a first-class road, and for second-class roads between 4 and 7 stotinki per kilometer.

From July 1, cars over 12 tons with 2 or 3 axles, according to their eco-category, will pay between 16 and 20 stotinki for the highway. The salary for crossing a first-class road will be between 13 and 17 stotinki per kilometer, and for second-class roads - between 9 and 11 stotinki. From January 1, 2023, the tariffs for these trucks will be from 26 to 30 stotinki per kilometer on the highway, between 22 and 25 stotinki for first class roads and between 19 and 23 stotinki for second class roads.

For cars over 12 tons with 4 and more axles, the price per kilometer from July 1 this year will be within 15 cents for a second-class road for a vehicle category EURO VI, EEV and 32 cents for categories EURO 0, I, II at travel on the highway. From January 1 next year, the price will be 29 stotinki for a second-class road for the highest Euro class and 43 stotinki for a kilometer on the highway for a truck of categories EURO 0, I, II.

According to the vehicle category and road class, buses between 3.5 and 12 tons will pay between 1 and 5 stotinki per kilometer from July 1, and between 2 and 8 stotinki from January 1 next year. Those weighing over 12 tons - between 1 and 6 st./km from July and between 3 and 9 st./km from next year.

The proposal for a lower price of vignette stickers from January 1, 2023 remains in force. Instead of BGN 97, drivers will pay BGN 87 for an annual vignette.

The draft decree on the new fees, together with the documents attached to it, is published on the websites of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and the Road Infrastructure Agency, as well as on the Public Consultation Portal. The deadline for proposals and opinions on the draft legislation is 14 days.