Pay-as-you-drive experiment: up to 9 eurocents per kilometre
The pilot project will start on 17 February. The different Belgian regions want to find out what the effect could be of a pay-as-you-drive system. People taking the car, would have to pay for each kilometre they cover, but the rates depend on where you drive and when you drive: on a motorway, a smaller road like an A- or B-road or in the city centre.
During rush hour, between 7 and 9am and from 4 to 6pm, using the motorway will cost you 5 eurocents. On other roads, this will be 6.5 eurocents, and in the city up to 9 cents.
Ms Crevits underlines that it's just a test, a pilot project. "Today, we cannot say whether this pay-as-you-drive system will ever be implemented or not. And even if we would introduce it, we don't know what rates will be applied. It's exactly the aim of this pilot project to find out about the effects, both the impact on the motorists' behaviour and the social effects", the minister told the VRT.
If the new system is introduced, it will replace the annual road tax motorists have to pay, and the registration tax people are paying when buying a new car. One of the aims is to find out whether motorists will have to pay more than under the present system.
To which extent will people change their behaviour?
The Brussels State Secretary for Mobility, Bruno De Lille (Flemish greens) supports the new road tax: people will not be charged for owning a car, but for using it.
Mr De Lille confirms that the test mainly serves the purpose of determining how much would have to be paid, but he is also curious what the effect would be. "We will see to which extent people adapt their habits. Will they opt for public transport, or will they avoid rush hour, or will they not change their behaviour?"
Some are against...
The Flemish motorists' organisation VAB gives the pilot project thumbs down. "6 to 8 weeks is too short to draw any conclusions, and a group of some 1,000 people is too small. (...) If you are going to draw conclusions on such a small basis, then you're not doing you homework properly. It will not give you any long-term insight."
Interviewed by the VRT, a motorist said "I use the car often for work. This will cost me an arm and a leg. If I will adapt my behaviour? It's hard, because I have to take a lot of stuff with me for my job."
... while others are more positive
The Belgian motorists' organisation Touring is participating in the project and takes a milder approach. "Everybody agrees that there should be a major shift in the tax system towards the extent to which you use your car. This is fairer, and it can convince people to avoid rush hour", says Danny Smagghe of Touring.
A Brussels resident told the VRT: "I live in the city, I hardly take the car out. It's logical that they tackle this problem, because the number of cars keeps increasing. Something needs to be done."
Another person told the VRT: "It's okay for me, on the condition that it solves our eternal problem of traffic congestion!"
Expats have mixed feelings
The report triggered different reactions on our Facebook page. "Anything is a start!", says Joanne. "Fantastic idea. Should get more people on their bikes and public transport", says someone else. However, this is not possible for everyone. "Public transport is ideal for carrying 10 litres of water", says Christiane with a touch of sarcasm.
Peter Van Loon has the final word: "Will it be limited to the kilometers you drive at a speed higher than crawling?" he asks.