„The process of introducing the toll in the country was stalled for five years, but this year we started real work and today we are already in the final stretch. The „Via Toll“ system, starting from January 1, will bring to Lithuania a more widely applied fairer toll for road use in Europe. This means that transport causing greater impact on roads and the environment will contribute more to road condition improvement. We will also ensure that funds related to road infrastructure return to where they are most needed – back to Lithuanian roads,“ says Minister of Transport Juras Taminskas.
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„Preparation for the start of the „Via Toll“ system from January 1, 2027, is proceeding according to plan – by the end of August, we had completed the majority of all tasks required for the system launch. We have a functioning test environment, so now the greatest attention is given to system testing, security, and integrations. The goal for the coming months is not only to be technically ready for the system launch but also to enable carriers to perform the necessary preparation actions in advance,“ says Martynas Gedaminskas, CEO of „Via Lietuva“.
According to M. Gedaminskas, „Via Lietuva“, implementing the project, aims not only for the „Via Toll“ to operate smoothly and be user-friendly from the beginning of next year but also for future users to be able to test the system and perform the necessary preparation steps this year.
The system will be available for testing this year
The Austrian company „Kapsch TrafficCom“, implementing the technological solution for the „Via Toll“ system, has completed the main part of the programming work. After creating the test environment, system testing began in September and is expected to continue until November.
As M. Gedaminskas explains, during testing, the main functionalities of the „Via Toll“ system and mobile application, data exchange with other systems, system stability, and security are tested. Any discrepancies found during testing will be promptly addressed, and the system will be improved and prepared for its final users.
After completing the testing phase, access to the system is planned to be provided to future „Via Toll“ users this year. This will allow them to register in advance and perform other necessary actions to be ready to use the system from January 1, 2027.
„Since all vignettes automatically expire on the last day of this year, operators and drivers of vehicles intended for freight and passenger transport must be ready to use the „Via Toll“ system from January 1, 2027. This will be the only way to record their journeys on toll roads and pay the toll for the distance traveled,“ notes the head of „Via Lietuva“.
„Via Lietuva“ strengthens the customer service team
Preparation for the „Via Toll“ launch includes not only system implementation. Much attention is paid to process descriptions and other preparatory work: rules for external service providers’ connection have been prepared, preparations are underway for the closure of the current vignette system, and compensation payments for unused vignette periods are being arranged.
The launch of the „Via Toll“ system is a significant change for the company „Via Lietuva“ as well. Internal resources are being redistributed for the new system implementation, and new internal procedures are being created. Considering the expected number of customers and inquiries, it was decided to form a separate team dedicated to customer information, which will serve „Via Toll“ users.
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„By the end of the year, we plan to expand the customer service specialist team, which will provide information to „Via Toll“ users 24/7 in Lithuanian and English. We understand that transitioning from the long-used vignettes to the new toll model will raise practical questions for carriers, so we want to be ready to help solve them even before the system launch,“ says M. Gedaminskas.
Carriers are encouraged to inquire about partner integration
By the end of this year, one of the most important project tasks will be to complete the testing of the system and mobile application together with „Kapsch TrafficCom“, prepare the production environment, and confirm that the system meets all security standards.
Third-party integrations will also continue so that from the very start of „Via Toll“, transport companies can pay the toll in ways convenient to them – using fuel cards, OBU devices, or EERP services.
„We encourage carriers who currently use fuel cards, OBU, or EERP services to check now whether their service providers are preparing for integration with „Via Toll“. This will help avoid additional troubles from the first day of 2027,“ advises M. Gedaminskas.
Starting January 1, 2027, „Via Toll“ will replace the current vignettes. Operators of M2, M3, N1, N2, and N3 category vehicles will pay road tolls based on the actual distance traveled on toll highways and main roads – this will ensure a more proportional contribution of heavy vehicles to road infrastructure financing.
The „Via Toll“ will not apply to drivers of light M1 category cars; they will not face new road charges.
About the „Via Toll“ system
The electronic road toll system „Via Toll“ will start operating on January 1, 2027. It will replace the currently used vignettes and calculate road tolls based on the actual distance traveled on state roads subject to tolls. The system will apply to M2, M3, N1, N2, and N3 category vehicles intended for freight and passenger transport.
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