Saudi transportation authorities plan to impose new tolls on cars using the kingdom's highways. An anonymous source from the Transportation Ministry told al Riyadh daily that studies of this plan have already been completed. He added that the new tax would boost the state revenues, which would be directed to improving the kingdom's road network.
Last December, an official from the Ministry announced that Saudi Arabia had invested SR 192 billion ($51 billion) on building highways. Their maintenance costs hit about $215 million per annum. The number of registered vehicles in the kingdom is approximately 4.5 million. In May 1999, Saudi Arabia declared a departure tax of $13 on each passenger that leaves the kingdom through its airports.
- Albawaba.com
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
