The essence of the discussion centers on a proposal from Viktor Vodolatsky, who serves as the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee. He suggested allowing free travel on the M-4 Don Federal Highway during periods when temporary flight restrictions are in effect, arguing that this measure could lessen the financial burden on citizens who rely on the toll road for essential travel. The idea is to provide relief to motorists without sacrificing safety or broad traffic management goals, and it highlights the ongoing tension between affordable mobility and the funding needs of national highway infrastructure. Supporters see it as a practical, short-term subsidy for individuals who must traverse the route for urgent reasons, while critics warn that toll-free travel could undermine planned maintenance and capital repair budgets that rely on user fees to stay solvent. This debate is particularly salient in regions where the highway is a critical artery for commerce, emergency services, and daily commuting, and it illustrates how policy levers are tested against fiscal realities and the public interest. [Source: legislative committee records]
Avtodor has weighed in on the proposal, stressing that free passage along the M-4 Don without appropriate compensation is not currently feasible given the financial structure of the highway network. The corporation points out that funds are dedicated to securing the return on extra-budgetary financing and ensuring ongoing road maintenance, routine repairs, and major capital projects. In their view, granting universal free travel would jeopardize the integrity of the road system and its long-term sustainability. Avtodor also noted that any such arrangement would need a robust framework to ensure fair treatment of all users and a clear mechanism to recoup costs through other means, preserving the quality and safety of the highway for everyone. [Source: Avtodor statements]
Nevertheless, Avtodor and the highway authority remain open to alternative approaches that can ease the burden on drivers without eroding funding for the network. One line of thinking focuses on well-structured loyalty programs that provide tangible value to frequent users while maintaining fee collection. Last year, for instance, a cashback initiative was run in collaboration with Mir card, offering motorists who paid tolls with the Mir card or who upgraded their transponder a portion of their money back. The program demonstrated that it is possible to reward loyalty in a way that aligns with the ongoing need to fund road maintenance and improvements. The authorities indicate they are willing to explore similar, carefully designed options in the future, provided that full toll payments continue to flow and the financial health of the road network remains intact. Such programs could help reduce the effective cost of travel for regular users and encourage faster adoption of newer technologies that support smoother toll collection and better traffic management. [Source: toll authority briefings]