Tolls update
Travelling from Algarve (coming in from Spain) and going to Vigo via the coast.
Last year, collected an invoice from Brisa for €40 unpaid toll because their card link was down.
Have been discussig ways of paying off & on for a year.
Now finding myself on an electronic toll for €2.40 and again €0.25 I decided to try and get something sorted before we became wanted throughout the Union...
Finally got through on the phone to a senior manager at Brisa and was astounded at what he told me.
Basically, whilst Brisa had been the sole operator of the old toll roads, the new roads went out to tender and there are 8 or 9 companies levying tolls in Portugal but ---- NONE of them can collect from non Portugese vehicles unless those vehicles chose to pay!
On top of that chaos, the EU has just written to the IMTT (Portugese ministry) to say that the EU is not happy with the way the Portugese tolls are being operated, especially in relation to foreign vehicles. The toll operators have been invited to help the IMTT come forward with improvements. My friend at Brisa didn't think their company would be very keen on that - they have had enough of the IMTT.
As far as my attempts to pay was concerned... "Just forget about it. We don't have the means or the will to do anything about it. You will be able to use the toll roads for at least a year before there is any chance of us and the other companies being ready to deal with foreigners."
So, yes, the tolls are up and running.
No, they are not organised or capable of meeting the needs of foreign visitors.
A bit like Italian one-way streets. They are optional!
Patrick
and how to put of the badly needed tourist money