For the third year in a row, the French government increased fares on its toll roads – this time by an average of 4.75% since the beginning of this month. This comes on top of last year's 2% rise.
A large part of France's motorway network consists of toll roads; some 2,000 kilometres of these are managed by the government, but the majority (9,000 kilometres) has been owned by private companies since 2006, De Morgen reports.
Price increases – which happen every February – depend on motorway works and inflation. However, the price rises are highly controversial in France, mainly because of the high profits made by stakeholding companies like Vinci and Sanef but also because rates have now risen for three years in a row.
Additionally, the companies operating the highways show a profitability of 12%, when by law that percentage should not exceed 7.67%.
According to Belgian website Gocar.be, Vinci Autoroutes (Cofiroute, Escota, ASF) announced a 4.68% increase, as did APRR and AREA. Sanef has reported an increase of 4.54%. Only electric car owners get a 5% discount all year round.
