Road tolls are new form of highway robbery

THE Government has spent a long time getting rid of cartels in different sectors of the economy.

But, in spite of this, some cartel-type behaviour seems to be reappearing.

On the day after the recent budget a notice appeared in the newspapers advising motorists that Westlink tolls were to be increased (Great stunt — they did the same for the last few years when everyone’s attention was diverted).

When the M50 opened, it significantly reduced the journey time from Dublin airport to Newlands Cross.

Many years later this same journey can takes three times as long — hardly value for money.

Motorists are angry and leadership is required. But where is it going to come from? Some innovation from politicians similar to the way they dealt with the cartel in the telephone sector is worth looking at. Back then, the service was dear and bad, and the waiting list to get a phone was similar to today’s wait for a driving test.

Just as in telecommunications, make the Westlink incumbent share the infrastructure with other companies and allow them compete selling the same service. It would be the same as a number of travel agents selling seats on the same aircraft going to the same destination, but still competing with each other.

It worked back then and it could work now.

In fact, now is an ideal time because the Government will soon own the bridge. A few franchise-holders could be appointed to sell the route in a competitive way. Competition should emerge, maybe a better service and, just as in the communication sector, prices should tumble.

Unfortunately, that is only half the problem. Road-tolling is not something that is accepted in this country. Not enough people have expressed their views yet. Maybe they will at the next election.

Road tolls are tax at the highest rate, paid in a very cumbersome way. Tolls collected are soft money for the route-owner and the Government and until motorists stand up (or pull up), they are allowing a revival of the days of Dick Turpin and his highwaymen.

When a new toll route opens it presents a great photo-opportunity for politicians and joy to the locals, but when a value-for-money exercise is done the joy sometimes turns to anger as people realise that in some cases the first €1,000 of their after-tax salary goes to the highwaymen just to get to and from work.

Astute politicians already sense this anger. But how astute is the Taoiseach? So far not as astute as the Westlink owners who are happy to take the money and get out.

Sean Murtagh

1 Cloverhill

Dooradoyle Road

Limerick.