The collection of toll fees from publicly-financed expressways may start from October 1, 2024. This matter has been on and off for several years. While toll collection is essential for stepping up traffic infrastructure development, it is crucial to ensure that this practice is not misused, particularly by using taxpayer money to fund those projects that could be carried out by the private sector. Significant revenue from toll fee collections The Ministry of Transport is currently seeking public feedback on a draft Government decree that would enforce toll collection from the expressways invested, managed and operated by the State. This draft decree aims to bring Article 50 of the Road Law, approved by the National Assembly in May 2024, into effect. The law allows the State to collect toll fees on publicly-financed expressways, including those invested by the State and those transferred to the State for management. Toll fee revenue would be directed to the State budget and used for maintenance, repair and upgrade of expressways. In a report on the draft decree, the Ministry of Transport stated that the primary objective of toll fee collection is to mobilize resources from expressway users to recover State investment capital. Toll fees […]