The government approved a measure this Tuesday to cap toll increases on 11 toll highways in 2023 at 4% in order to counter the 8.38% overall tariff rise driven by shifts in the Consumer Price Index and waves of extraordinary revisions across three tariffs.
In addition, to curb inflation and support households, a decision was made to freeze the tolls on highways operated by SEITT and subsequently transferred to state control due to financial constraints.
Royal decree, reflecting the economic and social consequences of the Ukraine war, was approved by the Council of Ministers and outlines a mechanism to limit the rate increases for 2023 at a 4% threshold for user-supported highways including AP-51, AP-61, AP-53, AP-66, AP-7 Alicante-Cartagena, AP-7 Málaga-Guadiaro, AP-68, AP-71, AP-9, AP-6, and AP-46.
23.3 million to finance the reduction of the 2023 increase
The Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda announced that between 2023 and 2026 it will subsidize part of the income concessionaires will lose next year due to the controlled toll increases.
A special provision established a limit of 23.3 million euros to fund the reduction of the 2023 rate increase, with the State General Administration committing to provide the necessary resources to partially soften the rise for 2024 through 2026.
Because rate increases are cumulative, users may face a rebated charge for the difference not paid in 2023. The 8.38% rise, tied to inflation, is planned to be phased in gradually to ease the burden on citizens.
On the AP-7 Alicante-Cartagena corridor, an extraordinary increase would be applied in addition to the usual CPI review. Without the measures, the rate could have risen about 9.46% after accounting for the participatory loan from the state to cover expropriations.
Even if next year’s increase remains at 4%, the baseline increase could effectively be limited to 3%, with an added 1% emergency adjustment to fund ongoing compensations.
Similarly, AP-46 Alto de Las Pedrizas-Málaga and AP-9 Autopista del Atlántico are subject to an extraordinary tariff review to raise funds needed to compensate for infrastructure improvements and to adjust concession terms accordingly.
These measures collectively aim to stabilize toll costs for users across key corridors while ensuring continued investment in road infrastructure and the maintenance of essential services.”