Government of SP will pay toll freeze in election year

Artesp (São Paulo Transport Agency) followed recommendations from the Department of Logistics and Transport and announced financial compensation to concessionaires due to the freezing of toll adjustments on highways, according to a decision published in the Official Gazette of the state this Thursday (7).

The state government announced at the end of June that it would not readjust tariffs, a measure scheduled for early July, given the current economic situation in Brazil, especially the high prices. The governor of São Paulo, Rodrigo Garcia (PSDB), is a pre-candidate for reelection.

After the announcement, the concessionaires threatened to go to court if there was no compensation.

Artesp reiterated the recommendations by letter sent by the São Paulo Department of Logistics and Transport, which include the implementation of the readjustment in the tolls of all concession contracts until the “end of this year”, “considering the variation of the contractual indexes referring to the year 2021-2022”.

The state government had said that there would be no readjustments this year.

In addition, Artesp provides that “the unearned revenue related to the tariff adjustment to which the concessionaires are entitled will be rebalanced through financial compensation with bimonthly payments until the adjustment takes place”.

The first installment must be paid on the last working day of August and the amount due will be determined by the 25th day of each month, according to the agency. The resources for the financial compensation will come from the budget of São Paulo, the text points out.

Artesp also said that the current highway concession contracts will receive amendments to include the new terms.