AFPOP Tolls update

[ANDY]

The long expected news about the motorway tolls has finally arrived. The tolls are going to start begin next week on Thursday, the 8th of December.

Although there is not any news about foreign registered vehicles yet, we do have the following information from today’s Government publication:

·         The price of the tolls will be 8.2 cents/(km (as previously announced)
·         The first 10 trips per month are exempt from charges, plus
·         A discount of 15% on the remaining trips for residents
 

These exemptions and discounts applicable to residents in the areas near these motorways. A full list of these areas may be found in a fact sheet format on our website, on http://www.afpop.com/uk/members/index_downloads.php or by e-mail from the afpop office. Simply click on ‘reply’ this e-mail and request the fact sheet by return e-mail.

When we have further information we will make it available to Members.

 

[martin]

I think you will have to take care re the "10 free trips"

this from the news

"The law states that residents and local businesses will not be charged for the “first ten passages through electronic toll collection points” each month"

to my thinking this does not mean 10 free trips but 10 free passes at each camera set up..ie how many gantries are there between cvo and faro airport..I suspect there and back you will pass by 10 gantries meaning in practice one free trip..well that's how I read it

[martin]

more info here
http://www.algarveresident.com/43652-44 ... december-8

[Michael Crane]

Once again we have at least two topics on this. Can't a Mod merge them both into one? Perhaps even have a separate forum for Tolls like we did for the Volcano? After all, this will be a topic generating much debate and interest to almost all of us.

[EMM]

The die is cast now, what ever we say on this on any other forum will have no effect.

All we NEED to know is how the hire car companies are going to deal with this ?????

[Michael Crane]

....All we NEED to know is how the hire car companies are going to deal with this ?????

I have just contacted ECH on this very matter. We arrive 11 December and would like to know what to expect.

[ANDY]

http://www.viaverde.pt/Website/Section. ... osServicos

[jamielyon4]

sudden decision for the date from the government, thats a first for Portugal - if only they could be this decisive on all matters.

I may have missed something in all the debate but are transfer companies liable for Tolls too? I heard they could be exempt? anyone know for deffo?

If they are to pay tolls I wonder how an already booked return trip in December will be honoured?

any advice welcome

[Sinkie]

Hi,

The latest I have from ECH. Not the full picture but they will keep me informed as soon as they have more details.

"Charges will be implemented from the 8th December. A partnership has been created between Via Verde and Unicre, who deal with all credit card transactions in Portugal. There will be a specific contract between clients and car rental suppliers so clients details can be passed over to Via Verde using a secure database/website and charged directly for use of the toll roads by Via Verde.

This does mean that it will be essential for customers to have a credit card when renting a vehicle in Portugal in the future.

This partnership will take a little bit of time to set up, so in the meantime, car hire suppliers have their own rules to deal with this. One of the car hire suppliers we use has detailed the following:

Clients will be informed that a road toll is payable.
The customer will have to sign a contract informing them of their responsibility of this road toll or any other traffic fines during their hire.
A small administration fee will be charged to the customer to pay for the expenses incurred for identifying the driver details for Via Verde."

[ron5000]

sudden decision for the date from the government, thats a first for Portugal - if only they could be this decisive on all matters.

I may have missed something in all the debate but are transfer companies liable for Tolls too? I heard they could be exempt? anyone know for deffo?

If they are to pay tolls I wonder how an already booked return trip in December will be honoured?

any advice welcome

If tolls are introduced after your transfer booking why would you want your transfer company to pay the extra out of the precious little they make from your booking, they have already swallowed the extra fuel taxes without passing them on. They pay the outrageous prices for up to date vehicles to keep you in relative air conditioned comfort, do you want to take all their small profit away, close them down and resort to bus or train to your destination

[jamielyon4]

sudden decision for the date from the government, thats a first for Portugal - if only they could be this decisive on all matters.

I may have missed something in all the debate but are transfer companies liable for Tolls too? I heard they could be exempt? anyone know for deffo?

If they are to pay tolls I wonder how an already booked return trip in December will be honoured?

any advice welcome

If tolls are introduced after your transfer booking why would you want your transfer company to pay the extra out of the precious little they make from your booking, they have already swallowed the extra fuel taxes without passing them on. They pay the outrageous prices for up to date vehicles to keep you in relative air conditioned comfort, do you want to take all their small profit away, close them down and resort to bus or train to your destination

read what I said...I was asking are the exempt and wondering if the prices would go up - a question rather than a whinge, I dont give a toss if they do put the prices up for such a small amount it aint gonna spoil my enjoyment of The Algarve and you are right they should charge more for the service.... issue is so many people want the best service but want to pay a 2nd rate price.....

[joeysoap]

Reading the post by Sinkie it would appear that the via verde will collect the toll charges from the credit cards of renters of hired cars.

the good: no queue at post offices to pay or arriving back at Faro airport to find post office closed (don't think they could have taken the payment until the next day anyway)

the bad: tourists will be hit with the charges after they return home and although most will be aware of it a few will be caught out and some will not return to Portugal as a result.

the ugly: those gantries

open to abuse: car rental companys will have a large turnover during peak periods so if you leave a car back at say 11am and they rent it out again at say 3pm after a quick cleaning there is a possability you will pay for the 2nd hirers use of the motorway for that day. even a possability (hopefully remote) that a car is not checked back in properly by the hire company and you wind up with all of the next hirers use of the motorway. And the 'small' charge the hire companies will add to the tolls to cover administration - don't blame them for this, they have to cover their costs.

[Farol]

there is a possability you will pay for the 2nd hirers use of the motorway for that day. even a possability (hopefully remote) that a car is not checked back in properly by the hire company and you wind up with all of the next hirers use of the motorway.

This would make it important to get some sort of timed receipt when you hand the car back or if you are just dropping the car off unattended as many do then I think in future I would send a text message to the rental company detailing the registration number, time and date that the car has been left. This should be enough to dispute a charge through the credit card company if you get charges that relate to another hirer. Not perfect but it might help.

It's difficult to see how the authorities can pursue a charge or fine via your credit card if you dispute the charge - they would have to provide proof.

[snowytheboy]

They will probably just charge both hirers to be on the safe side.