New toll rates on the A2 section Nowy Tomyśl – Konin

As of 15 February 2021, toll rates will change on toll sections of the Autostrada Wielkopolska concession motorway Nowy Tomyśl – Konin. The change is caused by the increasing motorway maintenance costs and the inflation. The cost of using the A2 section Świecko – Nowy Tomyśl remains unaltered.

The change of toll rates on the 150 km stretch of A2 will become effective as of 15 February 2021. Commencing 6:00 a.m. that day, the toll rates for driving each of the three 50 km sections between Nowy Tomyśl and Konin will be as follows:

• PLN 23 – Category 1 (motorcycles and two-axle motor vehicles)
• PLN 34 – Category 2 (two – axle vehicles of which at least one axle is equipped with twin wheels, and motorcycles and two-axle vehicles with trailers)
• PLN 52 – Category 3 (three – axle vehicles and two – axle vehicles of which at least one axle is equipped with twin wheels with trailers)
• PLN 80 – Category 4 (vehicles with more than three axles and vehicles with three axles with trailers)
• PLN 230 – Category 5 (oversize vehicles)

The foregoing toll rates include VAT, as the concession motorway tolls in Poland, unlike to public motorways, are subject to a 23% Value Added Tax.

The cost of using the Autostrada Wielkopolska concession section Świecko – Nowy Tomyśl remains unaltered. Drivers of Category 1 vehicles pay PLN 18 for 106 km of that section. This means that for a trip on the entire stretch of Autostrada Wielkopolska motorway from Świecko to Konin (255 km long) the car drivers have to pay ca. PLN 0.34 per kilometer.

The level of prices for using toll sections of Autostrada Wielkopolska motorway is impacted by actual maintenance costs, debt service expenses and the expenditure under the Long-term Investment Plan. The toll increase also reflects the continued inflation pressure. According to Eurostat, the retail price increase in Poland in 2020 amounted to 3.4% and was the highest in the entire European Union. On top of that, according to the National Bank of Poland, the base inflation, excluding the food and energy prices, being goods particularly sensitive to internal and external supply shocks, remained in the second semester of 2020 at a record level of more than 4%, unseen in 18 years. Also, the NBP data shows the inflation expectations remain at a high level. More than 61% of entrepreneurs participating in a special survey believe that in the nearest 12 months prices will grow in line with inflation or faster.

For many years now Autostrada Wielkopolska has been providing travelers with safe trip conditions  and highest standard service. This means, in particular:

• Exquisite maintenance of pavement and safe journey conditions,
• 24/7 assistance in the event of a breakdown or an incident,
• Hotline and other communication channels for drivers,
• Clean and safe Rest and Service Areas,
• Availability of gas stations, including restaurants,
• Caring for the well-being of animals, maintaining animal bridges and greenery,
• High standards of environmental protection.

Presently, Autostrada Wielkopolska is finalizing the expansion project of the Poznań Bypass. Not a single Zloty has been spent for this project by taxpayers or the State budget. The entire construction worth PLN 202 million has been financed by the Concessionaire's equity. Since 20 December 2019 there are already three lanes in each direction on the 16 km stretch of the Poznań Bypass, from Poznań West (Zachód) Interchange to Poznań Krzesiny Interchange. That phase of the project was completed under traffic, for the first time ever in Poland. During the construction process, drivers could uninterruptedly use 2 lanes in each direction. The opening of a 3-lane bypass that took place half a year ahead of the schedule did not mean the process ended. In 2020 new noise barriers were built and the existing ones were enlarged, guard rails were replaced at interchanges, as well as road signage and marking. Also, modern and intelligent lighting of the extended Bypass was taken care of. 1300 LED lamps were installed. Their primary advantage is better lighting of the lane and energy saving quality. This type of lighting consumes half the energy compared to traditional sodium lights. The lighting management system permits intelligent light intensity control. Thus, the lighting is adequate to current road and weather conditions, as well as the traffic volume. An important change that enhanced safety of the drivers was also the traffic management system that was launched in late 2020. Nine variable message signs between Gołuski and Nagradowice Toll Plazas provide ongoing information regarding traffic situation. The extension of the Poznań Bypass has been extremely important to millions of dwellers within the Poznań metropolitan area who use the Bypass free of charge. It has also been an important project facilitating national and international transport, as the A2 motorway is a major route connecting the Eastern and Western Poland with Europe. This project is also the best example of how Autostrada Wielkopolska provides highest quality motorway service.

In 2020 the Company equipped the Toll Plazas with outdoor payment terminals permitting contactless toll payment without involving toll collectors. The Company also refurbished the toilet buildings at the Rest Areas. In addition, the e-vehicles charging station network has been developed, as well as many other environmentally friendly solutions.

Presently, Autostrada Wielkopolska is working on the improvement for the drivers traveling on the A2 concession section in terms of electronic toll collection, using the video toll, i.e. automatic number plate recognition. Along with the new system, the loyalty scheme for drivers will be launched.

Autostrada Wielkopolska S.A. and Autostrada Wielkopolska II S.A. are international concession companies responsible for the construction and operation of a 255 km stretch of A2 motorway from Świecko to Konin which is the biggest PPP project in this part of Europe. Projects pursued by both concession companies turned out to be great success in that they were completed on time and within the initial budgets agreed with the public party and lenders, with no EU subsidies involved nor any financing from the Polish State Treasury. The key shareholders of Autostrada Wielkopolska S.A. and Autostrada Wielkopolska II S.A. include Meridiam international fund and KI One SA.