How much do citizens who have to travel from Aiaraldea to Bilbao or Vitoria pay for using AP-68? Kepa Alaña, a member of the free platform AP-68, has analysed the data in depth, especially those of the Areta and Orozko tolls. In addition to these two accesses, the access point is located in Ziorraga, in the valley of the motorways.

It is the fourth most expensive road in the state, from Areta or Llodio to Bilbao. "It is 10 kilometers from Areta to Bilbao, 12 from Orozko and its price is 2.10€". That is, the kilometer is paid at 0.21 €. "The Seopan Motorway Operator says that the road is profitable at about 0.09 euros. That is, we pay more than double," Alaña said. According to the platform member, your request is not the same: "In the AP-68 there are 45 km free in Aragon and Rioja 32. We ask that these 12 kilometers be free of charge and that bonuses be paid on the Altube section." Who is the competition from?

Road management

In fact, the system changed in 2011, "but with José María Aznar in the government, it was extended until 2026," he added. In December 2019, it became the responsibility of the Basque Government Deputies and the possibility of setting up bonuses was opened. "Ramiro González said he was going to put bonuses on Orozko. Despite the promises of the Members of Araba and Bizkaia during the election campaigns, nothing has yet been done." They have therefore decided to set up a working platform to speed up the process of free subsidies.

"The motorway section between Areta-Orozko and Bilbao is the fourth most expensive section in all of Spain. For every kilometer, EUR 0.21 is paid every tread"

People registered in Bizkaia have a discount rate to use the A-8, but not for the AP-68. Currently, the bonus system is only available in the AP-68 in the sense of Vitoria-Gasteiz (more than 15 trips with a 60% discount). Basically, going from Laudio to Vitoria costs €7.50, "for a worker, going everyday, €798 per year applying a 60% bonus". On the contrary, there is no bonus for motorway access from Ayala to Bizkaia: "Two daily trips to Bilbao are €4.10, which is €1.113 per year." Members of the AP-68 Free platform oppose bonuses and bet on sustainable transport: "We are against the construction of roads and roads. Bonuses encourage more travel than needed, otherwise you cannot get the discount." According to Alaña, there are hundreds of people who move to Vitoria-Gasteiz on a daily basis, "to the Mercedes plant only go 275 aiaraldeanos". The two roads, the highway and the main road, run almost in parallel, and when safety is wobbling, many take it for meteorological reasons. "Security cannot be a luxury that has to be paid, but a right that has to be paid," he said.

Some municipalities have worked on proposals to reduce the use of the highway, "but nothing is done". They have therefore decided to create a platform "away from all kinds of partisan and political interests".

Analysis of the Deputation

"Free-to-air freeway would reduce time and pollution and increase safety", according to the platform

The motorway payment system on the freeway is being studied at the Diputación de Álava. "They have three desktop options: the AP-68 budget financing, excise payment or user charge. We have received an invitation to participate in the report, but we have rejected it. The solution is quick: be free. In our opinion, the costs of all CAV roads should be analysed and all vehicles should be distributed via taxation," he stressed, "which would also increase the safety of cyclists" if heavy transport were also managed. In this sense, they have obtained the support of the associations of the region: Amurrio, Laudio, Urduña and Kuskumendi. Looking to the future, they have new dynamics in mind. Calls shall be made public via social networks, including the presentation and the car caravan.