The parties are calling for a reduction in traffic fees for single and double cabins

The AKEL, DIKO, EDEK parties submitted a proposal for a law, according to which they propose the reduction of traffic fees by 3 cents per cubic meter for diesel vehicles, including single-cab and double-cabs.

The Parliamentary Committee on Transport, which discussed the bill, requested that additional data be submitted for the specific vehicles and especially the number of those immobilized, so that it has a more complete picture before concluding on the fate of the bill.

The Government stated in a statement that it disagrees with the specific bill due to the reduction of the earnings for the state treasury, although the data submitted show that the immobilized single and double cabins are increasing.

According to the deputies who support the financial relief of the fees, the financial loss of the state will be compensated by the activation of the immobilized vehicles but also by the registrations that will increase.

Statements

In statements after the meeting, the Chairman of the Committee George Prokopiou stated that the Transport Committee discussed the reduction of road taxes in the category of vehicles from 2250cc to 2850cc, which includes mainly single-cab and double-cab vehicles.

The reduction concerns 3 cents per cubic meter, ie from 10 cents per cubic meter that they now pay to pay 7 cents per cubic meter, he explained, stating that based on the information from the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, 55.000 vehicles are registered in this category and that if the bill is passed, the cost for the state treasury will be 4 million euros.

Mr. Prokopiou said that the Ministry of Transport was asked to inform the Transport Committee about how many vehicles of this category are immobilized and clarified that it is important for the Parliamentary Committee to know how many owners will return to circulation the vehicles that immobilized due to inability to pay high fees.

It is very important for the decision that we will take to possess this information, since it will depend on these data and we expect the data from the Ministry.

Mr. Prokopiou also stated that our goal is to remove this "injustice" that exists to the detriment of the specific owners.

He added that there is also the category of large-capacity older vehicles, which some owners may keep as antiques, which most have immobilized, and we will try to motivate these owners with reduced fees to bring them back into circulation. .

AKEL MP Andreas Fakontis stated that the reason for the proposal to reduce fees is because the large group of owners who use this type of vehicle belongs to the low and middle income strata of the people.

He added that the road tax was high because in the past the price of oil was much lower than the price of gasoline, while today the price of oil is the same as the price of gasoline and this factor justifies the reduction in the price of road tax.

The AKEL MP also said that there was a large increase in the traffic fees of these vehicles after the change in the basic legislation and mentioned that it is a paradox that a 7,5 ton truck pays 200 euros road tax, a 12 ton vehicle pays 250 euros, a minibus pays 100 euros in fees, while a 42-seat bus pays 200 euros, while the 2800 cc double cab pays with an additional fee of 32 euros, in addition to 300 euros.

He said a large number of vehicle owners had immobilized them, adding that, based on data that came to light recently, 1.200 vehicles out of 10.000 new immobilizations were single-cab and double-cab.

Mr. Fakontis said that it is estimated that any loss in state revenue will be offset by the activation of these vehicles and the significant increase in new vehicle registration, which in 2016 increased by 31,4%, in 2015 there was an increase of 16%, while in 2014 it was 19%.

The increase in registration of this type of vehicle was 36,3%, he said, adding that during the discussion it was clear that the Ministry was not in a position to refute these arguments and we want to believe that the Government, despite its negative attitude, will makes second thoughts and a helper will come to support this large portion of fellow citizens who pay exorbitant fees.

He expressed the hope that the expected answers will be given so that the bill is passed before March 10, which is the last day for the payment of fees.