„I am glad that residents agree with the fair principle – those who use the roads more intensively and wear them out more should contribute more to their maintenance. Together with the team, we have moved long-stalled processes and ensured that Lithuania transitions to a more modern heavy vehicle tolling system, which has long been in operation in many European countries. The „Via Toll“ system, which will start operating next year, will be an important part of the „STOP road damage“ program, and all collected funds will return to Lithuanian roads to make our journeys safer and more comfortable, and the roads last longer,“ says Minister of Transport Juras Taminskas.
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„Most residents agree that freight and passenger transport have a greater impact on road wear, so they support the principle that those who use the infrastructure more intensively should proportionally contribute more to its maintenance. This is exactly the principle on which the electronic road toll system „Via Toll“, which will start operating in Lithuania from the beginning of 2027, is based,“ says Martynas Gedaminskas, CEO of „Via Lietuva“.
In total, 68% of respondents believe that freight and passenger transport have a greater impact on road infrastructure than passenger cars. Almost half (48%) of those surveyed are convinced that the negative impact is significantly greater, and another fifth (20%) think it is somewhat greater.
Research conducted by scientists from Vilnius Tech University shows that the impact of heavy vehicles on road surfaces, compared to passenger cars, is much greater and accounts for about 90% of all road infrastructure wear.
According to scientists’ calculations, one fully loaded N3 category truck, with an allowable mass of up to 40 tons, can have the same impact on one kilometer of road surface as about 10,500 M1 category passenger cars.
To ensure that the use of heavy vehicles contributes to road infrastructure financing, their operators have been subject to a road user charge for many years, which they pay by purchasing a vignette. From January 1, 2027, vignettes will be replaced by „Via Toll“, transitioning to distance-based tolling.
As M. Gedaminskas notes, the electronic road toll system „Via Toll“ is based on a more proportional and fairer charging principle.
„From January 1, 2027, operators of freight and passenger vehicles will pay for the actual distance traveled on the country’s roads, and when calculating the exact toll amount, the vehicle type, fuel type, and emission class will be taken into account,“ says the head of „Via Lietuva“.
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Survey data shows that more than half (53%) of residents agree that commercial transport should be taxed according to its impact on road infrastructure. 9% of respondents disagree with this principle, and another 26% tend to take a moderate position – neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
According to M. Gedaminskas, this is a fairer solution for both carriers and all road users, as more funds will be available for road infrastructure maintenance and development.
„The transition to distance-based tolling will allow road financing to be more closely linked to
actual infrastructure use. This means more stable income for the maintenance of roads, bridges, and other facilities, so in the long run, not only carriers but all drivers in the country will benefit,“ says M. Gedaminskas.
All funds collected through the „Via Toll“ system will be directed to the State Road Fund and used for road infrastructure maintenance and development. It is expected that about 110 million euros will be collected from road tolls in the first year of the system’s operation.
„Via Toll“ will apply only to vehicles in categories M2, M3, N1, N2, and N3. Drivers of M1 category passenger cars will not face new road charges, but they will benefit from increased investments in road infrastructure.
A representative survey of the country’s residents was conducted by the research company „Spinter tyrimai“ commissioned by „Via Lietuva“. The survey was conducted from June 18 to 28 this year, during which 1,016 residents aged 18 to 75 across the country were interviewed.
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