Nearly Half of Toll Road 6 Bills Unpaid, Raising Collection Fee Concerns

A significant portion of drivers using Israel's Highway 6 are failing to pay their tolls on time, potentially incurring additional collection fees. Data revealed during a Knesset Economy Committee meeting in June indicated that approximately 47% of bills sent to occasional users of the toll road are not paid by the due date. With around 175,000 bills sent monthly to these users, this translates to over 82,000 unpaid bills each month, and nearly one million annually.

These late payments can lead to additional charges, described as "compensation and collection expenses." The exact amount can vary depending on the number of outstanding bills. The committee discussed potential solutions, including enabling digital bill delivery via email and text messages, to help drivers stay informed about their debts and avoid accumulating further charges.

The issue of these additional fees is not new. A previous State Comptroller report highlighted substantial discrepancies between the amounts collected for late payments and the actual costs of enforcement and collection. In 2010, approximately NIS 17.8 million was collected beyond enforcement costs, followed by NIS 14.8 million in 2011. Accumulated overpayments were estimated at around NIS 156 million, underscoring the significant financial implications of this collection mechanism.

Highway 6, operated by Derech Eretz, stated that payment is legally required for all users. They emphasized that their website and personal accounts provide all necessary information on fares and charges, along with convenient payment options. The company added that late payments incur additional charges as stipulated by law.