Gov't Took Note of NKU's Report on Electronic Toll Collection System

Bratislava, December 11 (TASR) - The toll income distribution system does not sufficiently fulfil the main purpose of the toll system, so that the fees collected from users of motorways, expressways and first-class roads contributed significantly to their construction and maintenance, according to the report by the Supreme Audit Office (NKU) on its inspection of electronic toll collection at the National Highway Company (NDS), which the Government acknowledged on Wednesday. In its report, NKU also drew attention to the risk that in the event of a significant reduction or termination of the possibility of drawing financial means from the European Union (EU), Slovakia would not have sufficient own funds for key investments in the road infrastructure. At the same time, based on the results of the audit, NKU asked the police to investigate the findings. The authority also pointed to the fact that the system paid from public funds remains the property of its private operator. The results of the audit also indicate that total yields from toll collection in 2010-2018 amounted to €1.58 billion, while net yields after deduction of the cost of the toll system's operation accounted for 45 percent. NKU considers this to be insufficient fulfilment of the existence of the toll system. am