Finances are coming under increasing pressure. Rising borrowing costs, mainly due to increases in the prime interest rate, are not the only factor in the financial headache.
A survey by NAF found that the percentage of people saying they would fight the NOK 500 per month toll increase increased sharply from 24 to 33 percent between 2021 and 2023.
Among people with the lowest incomes, 50 percent
Low-income families in particular will feel the pressure if tolls increase now.
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In 2021, 31 percent people with the lowest incomes responded that the economy would not be able to withstand an increase in fees by NOK 500. In this year's barometer, this percentage is 50%.
– Citizens' finances are under pressure. We know that families with children rely most on cars for everyday travel. For low-income families, increased tolls could become an additional high expense on top of skyrocketing fuel costs, increased loan rates and higher food prices, says NAF press manager Ingunn Handagard.
Among middle-income groups, the percentage of people who say in this year's survey that they have a problem with such an increase is also growing.
– This is a strong warning for politicians. If they raise fees, it could hit families who are now starting to struggle the hardest economically, Handagard says.
We pay more for road tolls than a year ago
Fremtind Service recently released figures showing that Norwegian tolls increased by an average of 21 percent in one year. The company is the largest collector fees in Norway. The company's data shows that drivers regularly pay an average of over NOK 300 per month for journeys.
– In several cities, politicians want to increase fees, also for electric drivers. These numbers show that for many people the limit of tolerance has been reached. Despite this, it is difficult to put the car away because they lack an alternative to a car when traveling every day. For those who switched to an electric car precisely to avoid high fees, it could also be an additional, difficult bill, Handagard says.
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Source: NAF
Also read: Elections 2023 – District Electoral Commissions in Norway
