Yesterday, the Union of Albanian Producers (UPSh) asked that the government lower the Rruga e Kombit highway toll and postpone its coming into force until at least September.
Via an official letter sent to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, the UPSh states that the highway tolls for this segment are very high and will directly affect the increase of business costs and market prices.
The Union of Albanian Producers has analyzed the problems and additional costs that this highway toll will bring about for exporters, as well as what effect it will have on product competitiveness as compared to other countries in the region.
Among other things, UAP asks that the Ministry include private companies and interest groups that represent a number of Albanian products in the decision-making process regarding the Rruga e Kombit highway toll.
So far, Minister Gjiknuri has declared that the highway tolls for locals will undergo a review, but has promised no changes for companies and businesses that make use of the highway frequently.
The Milot-Morina segment highway toll was announced by the Rama government on March 23, 2018 and it was planned to go into effect on April 15.
The government assigned highway tolls are:
– Motorcycles will pay €2.5 for one-way trips, so €5 for round trips.
– Cars will pay €5 for one-way trips, so €10 for round
– Buses and light trucks will pay €11.2 for one-way trips, so €22.4 for round trips.
– Medium trucks will pay €16.2 for one-way trips, so €32.4 for round trips.
– Heavy trucks will pay €22.5 for one-way trips, so €45 for round trips.
Protests by the citizens of Kukës temporarily blocked the enforcement of highway tolls and forced Prime Minister Edi Rama to launch an informative campaign regarding this decision. It is still not known to what degree the toll will be decreased for locals, but it is known for certain that no one will pass through the Milot-Morina segment for free.
