Tender for Greece’s new electronic tolling system progresses

The international tender for the installation and operation of the new electronic tolling system in the Greek motorways is proceeding. According to well-informed sources of ypodomes.com, in the next few days, the first phase of the Expression of Interest is going to be completed, followed by the next stept which will be the submission of the technical and financial offers.

It is noted that the initial Expression of Interest took place on April 4, 2018. Companies with world-renowned experience in the installation of similar systems as well as Greek companies which, through these partnerships, will gain relevant know-how, participate in the tenders. These are:

1. Actor – Intrakat – Intrasoft Int’l- Autostrade (Italy)

2. Mytilineos – Nusz (Hungary)

3. Terna – Vinci – Kapsch Traffic Com (Germany)

4. OTE – T-Systems International GmbH (also a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom Group)

5. STRABAG – SkyToll (Slovenia)

One of the interesting facts is that Egnatia Motorway will not be excluded from the electronic tolling system despite the construction of traditional toll stations at this time.

Proportional charges are expected to cover all motorways, even those that have not be conceded, with main examples the future major road projects of Western Greece: Patra-Pyrgos Motorway and Aktio-Amvrakia Motorway, for which a “sweep” contract that will complete the construction phase in 2020. The revenues collected from the new tolling system in the state-owned sections of the motorway network, will be kept in a common “moneybox”, managed by the motorway taxes company, in order to cover infrastructure maintenance costs. 

As stated in a press release of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport earlier this year, the implementation of the new system is significanlty more just, compared to others, as it will be charging vehicles based on the distance covered in the entirety of the country’s motorway network, thus incorporating EU legislation and ensuring social acceptance.

According to the Ministry’s design of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, the current system using frontal toll booths, with adverse effects on the environment due to frequent stops in every 30-40 km, on average, and with fair complaints by the drivers due to the non-proportional charging. Exception to this system will be Attiki Motorway, Rio-Antirrio Bridge and Preveza-Aktio Road Link, which will still collect toll charges electronically.

It is reminded that the new tolling system is divided in two parts:

1. For professional and heavy vehicles, which will carry on-board units (OBU) to monitor and record their position using satellites (GNSS technology),

2. For regular passenger vehicles, that will be automatically identified with traffic cameras from their license plates when entering and exiting the motorway network, with the use of Automatic Number Plate Reading (ANPR) technology.

Especially in the case of professional vehicles, recording the journey could be used for other purposes too (such as fleet management, expressways’ surveillance, etc.). For regular cars, only mileage will be recorded in order for the system to meet drivers’ privacy requirements.