After the expiration of the highway toll period, it will be under unified government management. Vehicle tolls can be collected for management and maintenance purposes.
The “Highway Law of the People’s Republic of China (Amended Draft for Public Comment)” drafted by the Ministry of Transport began soliciting public opinions on September 7 and will close on October 7. The draft stipulates that after the expiration of the highway toll collection period, government unified management will be implemented. Vehicle tolls can be collected to raise funds for management and maintenance, and the toll rates shall be reviewed and approved by provincial people’s governments; tolls will not be charged on sections managed by municipal authorities or those where financial resources can ensure adequate funding. The current Highway Law has been in effect since 1998, and some provisions no longer meet the needs of highway development. Additionally, there is a lack of clear funding mechanisms after the expiration of early-built highways. The draft for public comment also imposes strict approval management, transferring the power to approve toll rates from the transportation authorities to the provincial people’s governments in conjunction with price control departments. Relevant officials pointed out that currently, the consumption tax on refined oil products used as a substitute for road maintenance funds only meets half of the needs for highway maintenance. If funding is ensured by raising tax rates, it will lead to unfair tax burdens, while the adjusted toll rates will be significantly lower based on actual conditions.