The toll for the BAKAD highway will double, but not for all drivers—only for those who fail to pay on time, reports infohub.kz.
Earlier, it was reported that from August 16, the toll for the Big Almaty Ring Road (BAKAD) would double. However, the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan clarified that the new tariffs will not affect all citizens.
"The main change is that for users who pay on time, the cost of the trip will effectively remain the same. Thus, for conscientious users, the toll will stay at the current level, ranging from 0.07 MCI (302.75 tenge) to 0.22 MCI (951.5 tenge) depending on the vehicle category. If paid in advance or within seven working days after the trip is recorded, a 50 percent discount from the set tariff applies," the ministry said.
The tariff increase applies to the base rates, which will be used only if the user fails to pay within seven working days after the trip is recorded. In such cases, drivers will have to pay: for passenger cars – 0.14 MCI (605.5 tenge); for buses with up to 16 seats and trucks up to 2.5 tons – 0.16 MCI (692 tenge); for buses with up to 32 seats and trucks up to 5.5 tons – 0.28 MCI (1,211 tenge); for buses with more than 32 seats and trucks up to 10 tons – 0.32 MCI (1,384 tenge); for trucks from 10 to 15 tons – 0.4 MCI (1,730 tenge); for trucks over 15 tons, including tractor-trailers – 0.44 MCI (1,903 tenge).
"In other words, the changes are aimed at improving payment discipline and do not affect users who pay on time. The principle of calculating the toll remains the same. The amount, as before, depends on the vehicle category and the time spent on the toll section (within one hour). The route length does not affect the cost," the ministry added.
The ministry also noted that preferential conditions for residents of Talgar, Karasai, and Ili districts of Almaty region remain unchanged. The cost of monthly and annual passes for this category of users stays the same.