Police Presence

[Bruce Wallis]

We had a malfunction with our alarm system yesterday.....the GNR were there in just over 5 minutes.

Unlike the UK police who would send a community auxiliary out, 2 days later to issue an insurance number!!

[HampshireRich]

We had a malfunction with our alarm system yesterday.....the GNR were there in just over 5 minutes.

Perhaps they thought you might be at home - I've heard they've been wanting a word with you

[alf1956]

they are out again in the same place as last night on the in road 500 yards before it becomes 1 way just before the right turn up to solferias.stopping them on both sides of the road.

[sam]

Regarding coming down the Monte Durado the wrong way - no need, nor to divert via Poco Partido. From the Municipal market turn right at top of hill (or left if leaving Monte Durado at top of hill). Follow the road until it bends sharp left, where you will (at last) see a sign to Lagoa. Follow the signs along and back down hill and you come out opposite the shops where the Donkey sanctuary charity shop is located. All this confusion would be avoided if they went to the small expense of putting a sign at the top of the hill at Monte Durado

[ceh]

Last weekend (I think it was Friday but possibly Saturday) there was a huge police presence on the N125 by the Fatacil - 8 or 10 bikes, cars and lots of officers standing in groups across the junction on both sides of the road.

[EMM]

They were there to monitor an anti tolls go slow on the 125.

[James Faro]

Somebody wrote into the Algarve Resident about the tolls and how quiet now is the A22. That does not bode well for the tourist industry or for the N125 which is not safe even at the best of times.

[shanagarry]

This needs to be a balanced issue:

The A22 is not 'quiet' in the sense it's empty - there is still plenty of traffic on it. I go to and fro the airport at least once a week and would not agree that it is deserted.

The EN 125 is a lot busier than it used to be especially during the peak periods and there's certainly more HGV traffic. If that continues into the summer, I guess there is a potential problem.

As there's still no 'solid' process for visitors or those driving non-Portuguese registered cars - the best policy is to work on the basis there's no change. If they eventually work out a way to catch you - pay then.

I bought a transponder back in April 2011 just before the decision to abandon the introduction for constitutional reasons was made. I am paying on a 90 day agreement and it must be working as each time I go past the gantry - the unit beeps. Presumably I will have a charge at the end of March - am I bothered

[DVBRO]

This needs to be a balanced issue:

The A22 is not 'quiet' in the sense it's empty - there is still plenty of traffic on it. I go to and fro the airport at least once a week and would not agree that it is deserted.

The EN 125 is a lot busier than it used to be especially during the peak periods and there's certainly more HGV traffic. If that continues into the summer, I guess there is a potential problem.

As there's still no 'solid' process for visitors or those driving non-Portuguese registered cars - the best policy is to work on the basis there's no change. If they eventually work out a way to catch you - pay then.

I bought a transponder back in April 2011 just before the decision to abandon the introduction for constitutional reasons was made. I am paying on a 90 day agreement and it must be working as each time I go past the gantry - the unit beeps. Presumably I will have a charge at the end of March - am I bothered

I always read daily the comments on this Forum and sometimes get really annoyed at some of the postings, however Shangarry this must be one of the best I have read for many years. Like you, I have lived here for the past six years and just go with the flow as a Foreigner in this Country.
There have been over 300 posts about the Tolls on the A22. All I can say to those people is get a life, as life is far too short, why worry or bother. The Portuguese have introduced a Toll and that is life. If you don't like it then don't visit. It makes for a far safer and a more pleasant journey along this road as opposed to the infamous 125 and for the sake of a few Euros, I know which Route I prefer. To retire here and enjoy the Lifestyle, Facilities and people is pure heaven as opposed to the daily commute I used to make to London.

[steve]

Before the A22 was built the 125 was a nightmare at times in the summer. The traffic levels were lower in those days so I have no doubt that when the summer comes this year a lot of people will go back to using the A22 and accept that the tolls are a reasonable price to pay for a swifter safer journey. Clearly there is a problem for visitors returning hire cars at the end of their stay but some sensible system must surely emerge soon.

On a separate point does anyone know how to check what jouneys have been included in the monthly Via Verde debit to a user's bank account? I am not sure that my free journeys are being taken into account in the charges raised.

[cereza]

There have been over 300 posts about the Tolls on the A22. All I can say to those people is get a life, as life is far too short, why worry or bother. .

I bet that if they had introduced traditional toll booths there wouldn't have been any posts on this subject.
The problem is not the cost

[blue]

It's not a question of cost. We have transponders on 3 of our cars but it's no good having an "I'm alright Jack, sod the rest of you" attitude, the Algarve relies on tourism, this is were we choose to live we want Portugal to thrive not cripple itself. Tourists would love to "go with the flow", unfortunatel there won't be any flow on the N125 & in order to join the flow on the A22 they need to be able to pay easily & efficiently. Hopefully somewhere within the powers that be a light will switch on & they'll work out a system were this is possible.

[Bruce Wallis]

It's not a question of cost. We have transponders on 3 of our cars but it's no good having an "I'm alright Jack, sod the rest of you" attitude, the Algarve relies on tourism, this is were we choose to live we want Portugal to thrive not cripple itself. Tourists would love to "go with the flow", unfortunatel there won't be any flow on the N125 & in order to join the flow on the A22 they need to be able to pay easily & efficiently. Hopefully somewhere within the powers that be a light will switch on & they'll work out a system were this is possible.

I totally agree with Blue.

People may not particularly like the tolls.....who does want to pay more in taxes of any shape or form??

The trouble is the totally impractical, and ill thought out implementation of the tolls.

As inconvenient as they are to us, we residents, will get used to and live with the system until it is de-bugged.

The problem is weekly rented hire cars and the totally unworkable system appertaining to them, and the negative effect that can have on tourism, maybe not this year, but probably next.

I really believe that the hirecar companies should get together and agree a strategy, so as to mitigate the effects for their clients. Even if it does mean putting up the weekly rate by, say, 10 euros a car.

The trouble is that this is Portugal, and although I love 'em dearly, the Portuguese seem totally incapable of actually getting together, and organising an industry wise strategy.

Shrugging your shoulders, and suggesting avoiding the A22, is not a responsible, businesslike response to this problem!!

[shanagarry]

and although I love 'em dearly,

Bruce - a sentiment shared by all, no doubt - as it's they way the Portuguese are and will remain.

There's little point in us 'sophisticated Northern Europeans' pointing out the error of their ways - because they simply will not change. The more we push - the more they will resist. We all knew that before we came here and yet we came and enjoy being here - don't we?

Their tradition to maintain the 'siesta' from 1.00 to 3.00pm has effectively 'killed-off' the centre of Portimao - where they would stand at the door of their shop at 12.59 and usher you out regardless of whether you were buying something or not beggars belief. Now the out of town retail parks have nailed that coffin firmly closed. Are they bothered - not one bit.

At present the tolls are the 'hot-potato' - that too will pass because they will tire of demonstrating as it appears to be having little impact and life will go on.

I can sympathise with those of you who have properties to rent and suspect that you feel the tolls will lose you business - I don't believe it will. If you rent direct - you should explain the situation to your clients together with the current process and leave them to fathom it out - at least you have done your bit. You won't be renting them the car - will you? What applies today will undoubtedly change - all you need do is explain it by saying 'It's the Portuguese way' and it's why we like it here.

So let's stop trying to get the Portuguese to change their ways and let us adapt ourselves to the Portuguese way of life as best we can.

[joeysoap]

If I were a tourist coming to Portugal this year, and seeing how inept the Portuguese are at implementing a simple process, I would not pay the tolls. full stop. and when and if I got a letter demanding the outstanding tolls x 10 at a later date at home, I would bin it. And just in case they I thought they might actually be capable of tracing me (through my passport) on a future visit to Portugal, then I would avoid Portugal for a long long time, (unless of course I had renewed my passport in the meantime )

as most of the posters on here have already stated- it's not the actual toll, its the method of payment.