Tolls on the A22

[bife73]

From what I understand the "Via Verde" works on all toll roads in Portugal whether toll booth or Scut electronic tolls. It works on direct debit via your "multibanco" card. It doesn't work out of Portugal.
Or there is the chip you get from the post office that only works onthe scut electronic tolls & not the motorway toll booths....again it doesn't work outside of Portugal.
At least that is what I understand & have already ordered over the internet the "Via Verde" box...

[sunman]

At least that is what I understand & have already ordered over the internet the "Via Verde" box...

I'm sure it's been covered before but which site do you order the Via Verde box from Bife?

[bife73]

Just type in "Via Verde" in the google search bar and the site is listed. I'm not sure if there is an English button on the site?? You'll need to supply your tax number, address, chassis number of your car, license plate number, make & model etc... Print it off, sign it and put it in the post.
That is as far as I've got...so I don't know how long it takes. From what I understand it'll arrive in the post, the papers that come with it have code that you type into the "multibanco" machine, it deducts from your "multibanco card" 25.00 euros......and from then on charges that card with all the road tolls you drive through. I assume you get a code to access their website to see you monthly extract (that you have already paid)..?
Good Luck

[bife73]

There is a sensible article in The Portugal News this week which at last seems to give some answers.

It states tools will be set at 7 cents per km, making the cost to travel from Spain to Lagos €8.97. Transponders to fit on the front of your car will cost €27 euros and all you have to do is keep it in credit. Tourists and foreign registered cars will be able to rent the transponders for €27 plus a minimum credit of €50.

If we are going to be stuck with tolls it all sounds reasonable to me, and at least the price is realistic.

8.97 euros maybe the charge for a class 1 car (it is not yet 100% confirmed) but if you have a class 2 vehicle it is more. It has been hinted that a class 2 vehicle Faro-Lagoa would be approx. 6.00 euros, where Class 1 would be approx. 3.50 euros... Class 2 is jeeps, minibuses & some MPV's!

[Farol]

I don't have a problem with the timely introduction of tolls. Many countries have toll roads (including the UK) and like it or not the N125 does provide a choice.

However, I do have a problem with the way this system for the A22 is being introduced. To be this near to the propsed launch date while still having so much confusion over the actual charges, what exemptions will apply, how to get the electonic tags, how hire cars will be treated, how fines will be adminstered, etc, etc, seems totally ridiculous. Nobody seems ready and because of this the authorities are alienating people that would otherwise accept the tolls.

I think nearly all the problems would go away if the launch was delayed while the authorities sort out the launch and then publicise the detail.

[Gary/Gaynor]

I have read somewhere on another forum and cannot vouch for its accuracy that they intend to carry out a major renevation works of the N125 over the next 3 years which will cause major disruptions. This will if it happens force people to use the Toll road. Agree with all of those that think the implementation is at best haphazard.

Gary

[bife73]

Yes this is true. The EN125 is supposed to be renewed (not sure of the time scale)...this will be the removal of all traffic light juntions & replace them with roundabouts, widen where possible and totally re-surface. This is for the full length of the road...
This is what the local politians are using as their argument, that at the very least the tolls on the A22 should only be introduced after the renewal of the EN 125 is completed!!

[cereza]

I expect the powers to be hope that the tolls collected while the N125 is under renovation and beforehand will actually help to pay for those very improvements

[sam]

The Expats Portugal forum has been debating this and people have listed problems and successes in getting the transponders. Those who have ordered on line seem to have to wait 3-4 months. The Via Verde site does not appear to do an english version.
It seems some of the SCUT roads in N Portugal have already introduced the system and have had teething problems. However, these areas do not have so many foreign tourists, so will not experience the same problems.
The signs at entry to A22 will read Electronic Toll only. If I did not know better I would assume that this meant that there are unmanned booths at exits, and you can pay by cash or credit card, as we experienced in Spain & France last year. This is really not adequate signage.
I read somewhere that if you get a Via Verde transponder this can be used in both Portugal and Spain, but cannot verify if this is true.

[PTBUXTON]

There is a sensible article in The Portugal News this week which at last seems to give some answers.

It states tools will be set at 7 cents per km, making the cost to travel from Spain to Lagos €8.97. Transponders to fit on the front of your car will cost €27 euros and all you have to do is keep it in credit. Tourists and foreign registered cars will be able to rent the transponders for €27 plus a minimum credit of €50.

If we are going to be stuck with tolls it all sounds reasonable to me, and at least the price is realistic.

Distance from getting on near Faro to getting off at Lagoa anybody know? done it many times never clocked it!

[e-richard]

50km to Junction 6 (Lagoa).
Probably save about 10-13km getting off at Junction 7 Alcantarilha

[Gary/Gaynor]

50km to Junction 6 (Lagoa).
Probably save about 10-13km getting off at Junction 7 Alcantarilha

Which will save about a Euro at around 8 cents a km. Mind you I nomally pull off at Junction 7.....

Gary

[whistle]

I have just been to the post office in Silves and purchased a via verde tag for my car. I had to provide my log book, fiscal number and passport.
The cost of the tag was €27,50 and the tag is car specific.
I was given paperwork detailing the serial and reference number of the tag and then had to go to the multibanco to activate the tag, (instructions clearly provided in the paperwork I received from the post office).
Any toll charges incurred will be deducted from my portuguese bank account.
The lady in the post office told me to come back with the paperwork as local residents within 10kms radius of the A22 will receive a discount. (As yet I have not done this).
The process was very quick and easy.
Hope this helps.

[laserblazer]

Does anyone know the date the tolls come into force?

[James Faro]

What happens if a British registration car enters into the toll zone and not pay the fee? Does the driver get fined? I can't see the cost effectiveness in chasing a toll fine all the way from Portugal to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland!

I took my car last year to Ireland.I drove on the M50 toll motorway from Dublin without the slightest intention of paying it; I didn't and nothing happened! My cousin stayed in London last November in London and drove from Ireland. He happily each day drove in to Central London and paid no congestion charge.I won't print here when I said he may have to pay it - but his answer was in the negative!

So anyone know what happens if a UK car enters the toll zone on the A22?