Minas Gerais tolls raise concerns over fairness and logistics costs

Gladstone Lobato, president of the Federation of Companies of Cargo and Logistics Transport of Minas Gerais (Fetcemg), said transport operators are willing to pay tolls if the rates are fair, warning that excessive charges increase costs for consumers. He highlighted that poor road infrastructure and high logistics expenses in the state create bottlenecks, discourage drivers, and push labor toward other sectors. Lobato suggested that private‑sector partnerships could improve road quality, lower transport costs and benefit end‑users.

The toll plaza at the entrance to the historic city of Ouro Preto is a key revenue source for maintaining the regional highway network. The fees, which vary by vehicle type, fund road upkeep and help preserve the UNESCO World Heritage site. Electronic toll tags are increasingly used to streamline payments and reduce delays for motorists.