This year, Czech drivers are projected to pay CZK 6.9 billion for motorway vignettes, up from CZK 6.375 billion in 2022, according to preliminary estimates from the Transport Ministry. The increase follows the March 2023 price hike, which raised the cost of an annual vignette from CZK 1,500 to CZK 2,300, marking the first adjustment in 12 years. From January 2024, the price will rise again, reaching CZK 2,440. The user fee for Czech motorways was introduced on January 1, 1995, initially covering cars, motorcycles, and trucks over 3.5 tonnes. Revenue from vignettes has been a crucial funding source for the State Fund for Transport Infrastructure (SFDI), which was established in 2000. The fund’s income from vignettes has generally increased, from CZK 1.725 billion in 2001 to the current levels, with fluctuations linked to changes in the toll system and external events like the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, Czech drivers spent CZK 5.839 billion on vignettes, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. As of November 2023, state-owned Cendis, which oversees the electronic vignette system, reported sales of 8.17 million stamps worth CZK 6.27 billion. The rise in collections reflects the growing number of toll road users and adjustments to vignette prices. This year has been pivotal for the Czech motorway network, which now spans approximately 1,388 kilometres, with a record 111 kilometres of new sections opened in 2023. Notable completions include: • A section of D6 near Krupa in the Rakovník region. • A part of D4 connecting Příbram and Písek. • The D3 České Budějovice bypass. • Three segments of D55, linking Babice in the Uherské Hradiště region with Bzenec in the Hodonín region. The network expansion will continue in 2024, with the anticipated completion of the D1 motorway, including the long-delayed Přerov bypass. Additional sections of the D35 motorway, such as Hořice to Sadová, Janov to Opatovec, and the Vysoké Mýto bypass, are also scheduled to open. Construction has already begun on a new section of the Prague ring road, connecting Běchovice to the D1 motorway. In 1995, the Czech motorway network totaled 651 kilometres, with approximately 566 kilometres tolled. Over the years, toll-free sections have primarily been located within municipalities. The continued investment in infrastructure has led to significant developments, with the Roads and Motorways Directorate (RMD) receiving a record CZK 80.7 billion from the SFDI for 2024. The robust funding, combined with increased revenues from vignettes, underscores the Czech Republic’s commitment to modernizing its transport infrastructure. However, with rising costs for drivers and ambitious expansion plans, balancing affordability and development remains a priority for policymakers. Source: CTK