Road tolls to start end 2016
Following approved reforms by President Peter Mutharika, the Roads Fund Administration (RFA) has said it will commence the road tolls project by end of 2016.
The reform area s approved at the fund include introduction of road toll, roads fund bond, automate payment systems and the automated fuel levy adjustment system.
RFA publicist Masauko Ngwaluko said the objective of the road toll is to diversify and provide an alternative source of raising revenue for the roads fund.
He said currently the fund is only collecting from two sources namely fuel levy and international transit fees from foreign registered trucks.
“The plan is to start by the end of 2016 and we are considering putting up toll plazas on “M”, Main roads,” said Ngwaluko.
He said the fund will engage a private operator on a public private partnership who will meet the cost of the infrastructure investing as well as management of the facility at an agreed fee and period.
On expected toll fees, Ngwaluko said these will be finally determined based on investment needs.
“The fees are likely to be low and affordable. These are long term investments with long term recovery period,” he said.
Ngwaluko said the toll system will help increase roads fund income for road maintenance.
He said the tolled roads will greatly benefit since fees collected will be invested in maintaining those roads.
“Good roads translate to low costs of vehicle operations and also facilitation of movement of the public becomes efficient. A good road will lead to cost savings on the part of the transporter and a good road reduces travel time,” he said.
