SP government reserves R$ 400 million to pay toll freeze

The government of São Paulo has set aside R$ 400 million until the end of the year to pass on to the concessionaires that manage highways in the state, offsetting the freeze on the increase in toll rates, which would be readjusted on August 1st.

The government had announced at the end of June that it would not readjust tariffs, a measure planned 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 even threatened to go to court if there was no compensation.

​According to lawyers specializing in electoral legislation heard by the Sheet at the time, the São Paulo government tends to face some future questioning in the courts, for avoiding the readjustment in an election year.​

The information on the amount of R$ 400 million set aside for the concessionaires is contained in a decree published in the Official Gazette of July 8.

The Department of Logistics and Transport and Artesp (São Paulo Transport Agency) had announced at the beginning of July the compensation agreement with 18 of the 20 concessionaires, which manage the main highways in the state of São Paulo, to guarantee the suspension of the readjustment. of toll fees.

Under the agreement, the government will reimburse the revenue not received from the tariff adjustment to which concessionaires are entitled, with bimonthly payments until the adjustment takes place.

To effect this payment, the amount due will be calculated by the 25th day of each month by Artesp and the resources come from the state budget. The first installment must be paid on the last business day of August.

The state government estimates that the freeze should benefit 2.4 million users who travel daily on the highways.