Those who drive to France by car have been much more expensive since 1 February. Toll road prices have risen on average by almost 5 percent, the largest increase in years. There is a small compensation for plug-in cars.
According to highway authorities, the increase is a result of inflation, which has been passed on in the toll. Last year the peage only 2 percent more expensive, in 2021 less than half a percent. In the past ten years, a ride from Paris to Lyon rose from almost 33 euros to 36.50 euros. Paris-Bordeaux went from 54.40 to 57.70 euros.
Profit highway managers
The increase is causing irritation in France. Especially because the profit of the 25 companies that operate the roads in 2021 – after a moderate corona year – increased by almost 50 percent to 3.9 billion euros. 3.3 billion was paid to shareholders. Because inflation will continue for a while, an increase is also on the horizon for 2024.
The government, which knows that the costs of driving a car are very sensitive, has asked the companies to offer a helping hand to motorists. The main operator, Vinci, is blocking fares on a large portion of routes under 30 kilometers to accommodate commuters. Those who pay automatically receive a 10 percent discount on charging their plug-in car. Sanef, APRR and AREA give a 5 percent discount on charging electric cars.
Fuss about toll roads
In January there was already a fuss about the toll roads. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire had ordered a report from the Financial Inspectorate on the profits of the highway managers, but would have covered it up after the outcome. The research turned up anyway and it showed that the efficiency of the toll roads is 12 percent. When the government handed over the operation of the roads to private parties in 2006, 7.7 percent was the starting point. The solution of the service – tax on the excess profit or the peage by 60 percent – are not possible according to the current agreements.
The Inspectorate also came up with a different solution: to end the concessions earlier. For a number of companies, the term that they are allowed to operate the highways – meaning they provide maintenance, operation and expansion – expires in 2031 and 2036. There are calls for new agreements to last for a maximum of 20 years. Or to review the entire model. According to opponents, the government should never have handed over management and the conditions for the operators are far too favorable.