Toll rates are charged by the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) and the National Roads Institute (Invías) There will be no further adjustments in 2024. This was confirmed by the Minister of Finance, Ricardo Bonilla, despite the fact that an increase is still pending.
(Read more: Government risks paying $1 billion due to freezing of toll rates)
According to the head of the Treasury portfolio, “The price of tolls is being adjusted and there will be no further adjustments this year, what remains is for next year.”
It should be remembered that on August 1, 2024, the ANI and Invías toll prices increased by 4.64%. The figure comes from dividing the increase in two that the toll booths have pending, which corresponds to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for 2023, which was 9.28%, so half still remains to be applied.
The decision to adjust the tolls only half of what they really should have increased, It was taken with a view to maintaining the path of inflation reduction in the countrywhich by July had already reached 6.86%.
(Read more: ‘With increases, our biggest bet is the cargo and transport sector’: Gopass)
Ricardo Bonilla, Minister of Finance.
Mauricio Moreno/ Portfolio
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Comptroller’s Office alert
Recently, the Comptroller General of the Republic, Carlos Hernán Rodríguez, issued a warning regarding the the effect that not carrying out the remaining increase this year would have on finances.
According to the official, if it is not authorized “promptly” the increase, the impact in 2024 due to the freeze in prices would reach $410 billion.
This figure would be added to the 610,000 million pesos that the National Government owed to the concessions for freezing rates in 2023. Thus, the Executive would have to assume a debt of close to $1 billiona result of this measure.
“Who has to assume the costs of the resources that do not come in due to the freezing of tolls? The Nation. In other words, all Colombians end up paying for these compensations with our taxes, even if we do not use the roads.”Herrera warned.
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