True cost of toll roads

The publication of the mileage of toll highways in 12 provinces and municipalities represents a step forward in the transparency of toll roads. But much more information is needed to overcome the public's doubts about such tolls.

It is four months since the five central government departments - the ministries of transport, finance, and supervision, and the National Development and Reform Commission and the State Council Office for Rectification of Unhealthy Working Styles - jointly launched a campaign to inspect and check such tolls in late June. Since then, only one third of the nation's provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions have disclosed figures about their toll roads and the amount of debt they owe for the construction of these roads.

Strictly speaking, it should not be that difficult to know how much is owed. There should have been a plan and budget for the construction of every highway and expressway. The amount of money to be borrowed and the period of time it would take to pay back the loans with the income from tolls should have been calculated long before the road was built.