Austrian Greens demand truck toll for state roads

The Styrian Greens are calling for the implementation of a truck toll on state and municipal roads in Austria, citing a decade-old study that was previously kept confidential. The documents, obtained through a freedom of information request, date back to investigations conducted between 2014 and 2016 by independent experts commissioned by state transport representatives.

The study suggests that a toll for trucks over 3.5 tons is both feasible and beneficial for distributing the high costs of road maintenance to those who primarily cause the wear. According to Lambert Schönleitner of the Green Party, the findings indicate that the economic burden on businesses would be minimal while providing positive investment effects.

Financial projections from the report estimated that such a toll could generate approximately 650 million euros annually nationwide. In Styria alone, potential revenues were estimated at 120 million euros per year (based on 2014-2016 figures), which could help fund the roughly 80 million euros currently required annually for road construction and maintenance in the region. The Greens argue that delaying this measure exacerbates the deterioration of the road network, noting that 74 percent of Austria's state roads were in medium to very poor condition at the time of the study.