Opposition slams “chaotic” introduction of new road toll

Budapest, January 5 (MTI) – The opposition Socialist Party has called on the government to waive fines for non-payment of the new motorway e-toll.

Meanwhile the Democratic Coalition (DK), the Egyutt (Together) party and green opposition LMP have demanded the new system be scrapped altogether.

Under the scheme introduced on Jan. 1 a fee applies to use of the M0 ring around Budapest and links to motorways. E-stickers for individual counties costing 5,000 forints, or 16 euros, a year can also be purchased.

DK called on the government to withdraw the toll and remedy the “chaotic situation” caused by its introduction. Laszlo Varju, a DK board member, told a press conference that the stickers were unavailable at petrol stations and could not be purchased online from the National Toll Payment Service company either due to the collapse of its system.

Tamas Harangozo, a deputy group leader of the Socialists, told a press conference on Monday that the toll was “the price of the government’s corruption”. A 1,500 forint fine must be paid by drivers who fail to pay the tolls, he noted, adding that it is hardly the fault of road-users that the government’s measure has been so ill-prepared.

The Egyutt (Together) party also demanded the withdrawal of the toll system which “failed right upon its launch”. Nora Hajdu, a party board member, complained about a lack of proper impact studies or timely public information, adding that the toll had been levied mistakenly on certain road sections.