In order to increase the transport of goods by rail and relieve congestion on the roads, particularly border roads; France and Spain have decided to considerably lower the price of tolls to cross the Pyrenees via the Perthus tunnel. A measure which comes at a time when, on the contrary, the Spanish government is being ordered by Brussels to give up free access to its motorways.
“In order to promote the transport of goods by train, LFP (Figueres-Le Perthus line) 90% drop in tolls for toytes categories of freight trains passing through the line”confirms an LFP document which adds that the new pricing came into force on December 15, 2024 at midnight. “The decline is permanent and will continue in the medium and long term”adds LFP.
A fall in revenues compensated by the two States
LFP recalls that this drop is “the fruit of close collaboration with the two States which, aware of climate issues and the need to migrate towards modes of transport that emit less CO2, wish to support the modal shift with concrete measures having a direct effect on competitiveness trains”.
An effect which should be felt soon as the new pricing reduces toll prices. Their prices are now between 29.80 euros and 77 euros depending on the type of convoy and the distance traveled by the freight trains (below or beyond 750 kilometers) compared to 298 euros to 770 euros so far. “We will not see the effect in four days but in the medium term because the implementation is not immediate for a company, not immediately, LFP management is told this December 19, 2024. But businesses have seen the measure very favorably; these reductions will boost traffic, that’s for sure. Companies will decide more quickly to use rail.” LFP recalling another recent measure going in the same direction: the opening of the line two nights a week for freight trains.
But what about the drop in revenue mechanically generated by “discounts” which make the service border on free? “France and Spain will compensate”, assures LFP, which therefore expects an increase in activity after that already recorded this year. According to forecasts, this month of December should end with 43 round trips recorded, an increase of 80% compared to the month of August and + 104% compared to December 2023. Some 1,500 freight trains will thus have used the 8.3 kilometers of this tunnel this year 2024 compared to 1,404 in 2023.
Towards the return of tolls on Spanish motorways
Double incentive rather than pendulum effect, Spanish motorways could very quickly no longer be free. Brussels has in fact called on Spain, but also the eleven other countries of the Union with toll-free motorways, to renounce this free circulation.
In the region, the AP-7 border highway, which succeeds the A9 at the French Boulou toll and runs to the south of Barcelona, and which is very busy with heavy goods vehicles, and therefore an important freight route. of goods, should thus become chargeable again. Enough, at least on paper, to push carriers to prefer rail.
