In Poland, toll-free driving on major motorways extends from September
In a recent public update, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki confirmed via social media that the A1 motorway will be toll-free starting from the beginning of September. The message, delivered through a video posted on Twitter, makes clear that a promise made is now fulfilled, allowing drivers to travel on the A1 without paying tolls from the opening days of September onward. The prime minister emphasized that this decision marks the culmination of a commitment to free travel on key roadways, a policy aimed at easing weekend and holiday traffic for citizens and visitors alike. The announcement reflects a broader political stance toward reducing road costs for travelers on major routes, aligning with ongoing discussions about road funding and infrastructure improvements in the country. The move is positioned within a wider context of maintaining reliable, accessible highways and ensuring that families and commuters can shoulder fewer expenses during peak travel times. A toll-free A1 is framed as part of a broader effort to promote safer, more affordable road travel while supporting regional connectivity across the nation. Fans and critics alike are watching how this policy will interact with broader transport budgeting, maintenance schedules, and future plans for toll exemptions on other expressways.
Earlier changes extended to A2 and A4 starting July 1
Prior to September, the private toll road A1 connecting Gdańsk to Toruń operated under a toll exemption during holiday periods. This meant that travelers could use the route at no cost on weekends, with tolls waived from Friday afternoon until Monday noon. In addition, on July 1, 2023, toll exemptions were expanded to the A2 corridor from Konin to Stryków and the A4 corridor from Wrocław to Sośnica for vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes. This expansion increased the geographic footprint of toll relief, reducing travel expenses for small commercial fleets and private motorists alike during times of high traffic. The policy change was presented as a major step toward making major routes more accessible and encouraging regional mobility across central and western Poland. Public commentary highlighted the potential benefits for holiday planning, logistics planning for small businesses, and the overall experience of road travel during peak seasons. The government framed the expansion as part of a broader program to improve the reliability and safety of Poland’s road network while keeping costs predictable for households and enterprises.
For reference, various government and media outlets described these developments as fulfilling longstanding promises related to free and subsidized sections of national highways. The discussions emphasized that free or reduced-toll segments could contribute to safer, more predictable travel during holidays and weekends, while also prompting conversations about funding sources, road maintenance, and the prioritization of key transport corridors in national planning. The broader narrative connected toll relief to ongoing efforts to modernize infrastructure and support economic activity by easing the burden on travelers and logistics operators during periods of high demand. The public record suggests an intent to balance accessibility with the long-term needs of road upkeep and safety across the highway system.
Note: This summary reflects public statements and policy changes reported by national media and official briefings cited in contemporary coverage of Poland’s highway toll policies [attribution: Polish government communications and major national outlets].