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For the 5,8-kilometer section between Koper and the Italian border, drivers traveling from Istria to Italy for work, as well as tourists entering Croatia from Italy, are required to pay the full price of the Slovenian vignette, which is 16 euros, which is why the Slovenian politician Meira Hot launched an initiative for its abolition.
Due to the high toll, many drivers choose local, bypass roads, which creates additional congestion and dissatisfaction among local residents.
"I started this petition because we local Istrians have been appealing to our government for years. We are paying full price for a motorway that is actually not a motorway, but just a suburban road.", said the vice-president of the Slovenian parliament, Hot, after she decided to start a petition for the abolition of the vignette on that section, brings HRT.
She claims that the vignette caused the loss of guests who normally came for the weekend, stating that such a charge is contrary to the Osim Agreements, which stipulate free movement in border zones.
She also said that Italy does not charge for even 30 kilometers of the highway between Trieste and Monfalcone, which she considers a good practice and gives as an example.
The initiative was also supported by the President of the Italian Union Maurizio Tremul, saying that this can truly help people move freely in this area, without any problems. Tremul believes that this initiative benefits all people living in this area.
Not all residents of the Slovenian coast are in favor of abolishing the vignette. Some believe that the vignette should remain because "everyone who passes through here goes to Croatia" and Slovenians must benefit from it. However, on the other side of the border, they think differently.
"I know a lot of people from Umag and Buje who work in Trieste. That's a big problem for them. Local roads create traffic jams, and you can get to Trieste in no time on the highway. I'm definitely in favor of abolishing the vignette.", he told HRT Dragan from Umag.
Director of the Umag Tourist Board Milovan Popovic He emphasized that this would be especially important for weekenders, especially Italian tourists, "Considering there isn't even 6 km of highway there, that would be a big change for them".
Although the construction of a real highway from Koper to the Croatian border has been announced for years, nothing has been done since 2004. In the meantime, all drivers - both domestic and foreign - are condemned to traffic jams on the two-lane local road in the summer. Whether the petition will spur change remains to be seen.
Photos: tookapic / Pixabay
