Toll stickers for driving on Slovenian highways will have to increase in price this year due to revenues being lower than expected, stated Slovenian Finance Minister Franci Križanič on Thursday.
"Toll stickers are too cheap considering the highway construction program and do not ensure regular financing of plans," Križanič said among other things at a press conference after the government session that approved the rebalancing of the state budget for this year with a deficit of 1.1 billion euros. This is 2.9 percent of GDP, but still within the Stability Pact.
The sticker valid for six months currently costs 35 euros, while the annual one costs 65 euros, but Križanič did not want to say what new price the government will set, adding that Minister of Transport Patrick Vlačič is responsible for that. A special group led by Vlačič is preparing "more options and proposals" to stabilize highway financing, Križanič stated.
Vlačič said on Sunday for the Slovenian Press Agency STA that Slovenia could lose 30 to 70 million euros this year compared to expected toll revenues. Slovenian media report that this year’s sticker sales are weaker than last year’s, and the work of toll inspectors has intensified, who issue up to 600 fines per week. The sale of half-year stickers, which are mostly purchased by foreign drivers in transit, has particularly declined.
This year, the state highway agency planned to sell 1.7 to 1.8 million half-year stickers at 35 euros. However, only 120,000 have been sold so far, so it will be crucial how many foreigners will purchase them for the Easter holidays and at the beginning of the summer tourist season, Slovenian media report. They also assess that it is unlikely that Slovenia could agree to shorter and cheaper tourist stickers this year, as proposed by the European Commission. (Hina)
