Bulgarian Drivers Expected to Face New Toll Prices from August

From August 1, a 30 percent increase in vignette fees is planned, as revealed by a draft amendment to the tariff for passing and using the republican road network. The document has been published for public discussion by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works.

According to the proposal, for heavy vehicles up to 3.5 tons and camping cars of category M1 that were not upgraded with the electronic system introduced in 2019, the new prices are as follows: annual vignette – 64.50 euros; quarterly – 35.90 euros; monthly – 19.90 euros; weekly – 10 euros; weekend vignette – 6.60 euros; one-day vignette – 5.30 euros.

A change in the amount of the compensatory fee for road vehicles with a total weight up to 3.5 tons is also envisaged, which will reach 46.50 euros. The expected increase will provide over 20 million euros in 2026 and over 48 million euros annually in the following years, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works notes.

Part of the additional funds will be allocated to major repairs and rehabilitation of third-class roads that connect small and remote settlements with regional centers. The funds will also go toward replacing restrictive systems on the roads, laying long-lasting horizontal markings, and building autonomous lighting in risky zones. Some of the resources will be used for modernizing the toll system, expanding the optical camera network, and reducing toll non-payments to under 2% annually.

Technical audits indicate that over 35 percent of the second- and third-class road network in the country, or over 7,000 kilometers in total, are in unsatisfactory or poor condition according to data from BNT.

Source: Telenews