Germany launches motorway toll for trucks

0 Comments | AFP, December, 2004

FRANKFURT (AFP) — Germany, one of the few countries in Europe where motorways are still toll-free, is to start charging trucks for use of the country's chronically overcrowded "Autobahns" next month in a move that some believe could open the door to a general toll for all motorists.

After months of embarrassing delays, serious technical glitches and much public mud-slinging, a consortium called Toll Collect will launch a new state-of-the-art toll system for lorries and trucks from January 1.

The Transport Ministry finally gave the system, which should originally have been up and running in 2003, the green light earlier this month so that it can now go into operation on Saturday.

From then on, all heavy goods vehicles will be installed with a satellite-driven...