It was an expected increase. The toll rates of the Vinci Autoroutes network will increase by 2.7% on February 1, France’s main motorway concessionaire announced this Wednesday, ensuring that it is a “limited” increase and “the weakest in the sector.”
Increase below base inflation
The annual increase in highway tolls traditionally occurs every February 1. At the end of November, Clément Beaune, then Minister of Transport, assured that it would be “less than 3%” on average in 2024.
Vinci, which manages 4,443 kilometers of motorways in France through different companies, is the largest concessionaire in the sector. Its competitors have not yet revealed their prices, which must be published in the Official Gazette after approval by public authorities.
“On February 1, the price of motorway tolls will increase by 2.7% on average on the Vinci Autoroutes network, an increase one point lower than the reference inflation rate, and which will be the lowest in the sector,” he stated. the company in a press release.
In addition to inflation, which reached 3.87% in the reference period (12 rolling months until the end of October 2023), the increase in toll road prices is calculated based on the investment plans of the concessionaire companies. .
Measures in favor of daily trips
Vinci stated in November that the new tax on long-distance transport infrastructure, including motorways, planned in the 2024 budget, would lead to a 5% increase in tolls, which Clément Beaune refuted at the time.
On Wednesday, Vinci Autoroutes highlighted that “most daily trips will not increase” this year on its networks.
According to the company, “80% of the routes of less than 30 km and 60% of the routes of less than 50 km, as well as all the ring routes of 35 urban areas served by the Vinci Autoroutes network will benefit of this measure in favor of daily trips, in particular from work to home.
In addition, subscribers to a specific Ulys electronic toll offer “will be able to benefit from a 30% reduction on all trips on their preferred route, starting from 10 round trips made during the month, without mileage limitations” Vinci highlighted.
Source: BFM TV
