Abstract
The current road user charge in Lithuania is based on a temporary system and is not connected to the actually covered mileage. The time-based charge is not considered to be socially fair; therefore, the principles 'user pays' and 'polluter pays' shall be employed. The charge to be introduced will take into account the interests of local road infrastructure users who are currently paying unreasonably high charge for a short distance covered.
If the current system is retained and e-tolling system is not established, heavy vehicle drivers would continue paying aroad user charge by purchasing e-vignette. It would mean that road user charges paid by vehicle owners/holders would not cover the damages directly made by the user and the current road charging system would not guarantee sufficient financing for the maintenance and development of the road infrastructure.
Legal decisions on electronic road charging system have not been taken yet; however, the project implementation preparation is underway. The latest Parliamentary approvals were received in September 2020, and it is believed that all necessary legal acts will be amended by the end of 2020.
The road charging technology has not been selected yet. However, the conducted project's implementation analysis, the assessment of necessary investments and road charging system maintenance costs revealed that a GPS-based technology would be the most economical one.
It is planned to implement the electronic road charging system by the beginning of 2023. Upon the project's implementation, additional financing to ensure high quality and safe main roads should be allocated.
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