Porto Region Faces Toll Discrimination: PCP Blames Major Political Parties

Porto Region Toll Controversy

The PCP (Portuguese Communist Party) has expressed its discontent regarding the maintenance of tolls in the Porto region, contrasting with the abolishment of tolls on various highways across the rest of the country. In a statement from the Regional Organization of Porto (DORP), they noted, "Unlike what will happen in the rest of the country, tolls will remain – and the resulting injustices – in the Porto region."

The party claims that the Porto region is being negatively discriminated against compared to other areas, highlighting the hypocrisy of politicians who say one thing locally and act differently in the Assembly of the Republic.

The PCP holds the PSD, CDS, PS, IL, and PAN responsible for this ongoing situation, asserting that residents in the Porto district will continue to incur costs for using roads with no alternatives. They emphasize that local businesses will face increased operational costs as a result.

The party urges local populations and businesses not to accept this situation passively, calling for protests and demands for the elimination of tolls. They have proposed a bill in parliament aimed at abolishing all tolls on former SCUT roads, including those in Porto, and reversing privatization agreements.

The PCP criticized the cooperation among PSD, CDS, PS, IL, and PAN for preventing the removal of tolls on key routes such as the A28, A29, A41, and A42. These routes connect important areas like Matosinhos and Póvoa de Varzim, and the tolls are seen as a significant blow to the local economy, worsening living conditions for those who must use these vital roads without alternatives.

The party points out that only the concessionaires benefit from these tolls, with the state and local economies suffering losses. While tolls have been abolished on major highways in the Interior and Algarve regions after years of public struggle, the Porto area remains burdened by these fees, continuing to affect its residents and businesses negatively.