(haipo) - The State Comptroller's report published today, Tuesday 5/11/24, reveals failures in the operation of the toll roads in Israel, mainly inBish 6 and in the Carmel tunnels, with emphasis on toll collection problems, traffic congestion and customer service.
The state comptroller's report (2024) examined the operation of the toll roads in Israel - mainly highway 6 and the Carmel tunnels. The report focuses on the structure of the rates, the level of service and the impact of congestion and a number of key failures arise from it, including the disparity in rates and the increase in congestion. Next to the failures, conclusions and recommendations are presented to the Trans Israel Company, the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Finance.
High disparities in toll road rates
The main findings of the report show that the toll rates are not uniform, with significant differences in the toll road rates being evident. For example, the rates for certain sections of Route 6 are significantly higher compared to other sections, which creates confusion among road users and a sense of lack of transparency.
Partial utilization of the tunnels' capacity
Regarding the Carmel tunnels, the report reveals that approximately 30% of the tunnels' capacity is not being used, with the hypothesis that the reason for this is the high cost that discourages drivers. Although several discounts are offered, the tunnels' rates are perceived as high, especially compared to other toll roads.
Opening enforcement cases for small amounts that have accumulated
Collection failures - Debt collection includes opening enforcement cases for small amounts that have accumulated, and many drivers complain about fines that have accumulated in large amounts. However, some relief was achieved in the central section of Route 6 in the 2022 agreement, but this does not apply to the other roads.
The report also shows that there are gaps in road maintenance - Central Highway 6 is better maintained than Southern Highway 6 due to budget limitations, which creates significant gaps in this respect between the segments. Regarding customer service, it is evident that in recent years there has been a decline in the level of service in the Carmel Tunnels, which is manifested in an increase in the waiting time for customers.
Formation of a differential rate structure
The State Comptroller recommends formulating a differential rate structure for the central Highway 6 and the Carmel tunnels, taking into account changing service levels, so that it will be possible to reduce loads by shifting travel to off-peak hours. The auditor also recommends examining the possibility of uniform rates, which will make it easier for drivers to make decisions and avoid confusion. and to allocate budgets to improve maintenance, especially on Route 6 South, and to improve customer service on all toll roads.
Regarding solving the congestion problems in the Carmel tunnels. The auditor recommends lowering the rates to increase usage and utilize the capacity in an optimal way. The auditor recommends that the state strictly implement these solutions to ensure an adequate level of service, transparency to the public and extraction of economic benefits from the Carmel tunnels and the other toll roads.
From the report it can be concluded that canceling the tolls in the Carmel Tunnels is not realistic, but it is certainly possible to improve the conditions of their use for drivers, such as lowering the price and improving the service. Regarding Route 6 North, where, as I recall, a class action lawsuit was filed against the Chutza Israel Company about four years ago. The lawsuit brought up the problem of the confusion caused to drivers, who believed that the charge was made automatically for the entire Highway 6, due to it being a continuation road, and received unnecessary and high fines due to a lack of clarity on the subject. Additional complaints were also registered by drivers in the Carmel tunnels about excessive fines, some of whom were affected due to the increase in toll prices , despite a prolonged struggle by the activists of the Carmel Tunnels protest.
Please check the state auditor's report. Have a lovely day.
The Carmel tunnels do not respond to the public most of the time the tunnel is empty I go there occasionally on Matron 4 that crosses it
Lower the price to NIS 5 for the residents of Haifa and Kiryat. On the new Route 1 at the entrance to Jerusalem, the tunnels are part of the road without any toll
Two of the biggest environmental disasters in the country's history.
Besides, the Israelis are a nation of suckers.
Route 6 is more congested than Route 4, freighter who pays