Road companies need comprehensive audit to verify deficits despite toll fees

A toll station in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province. [Photo/IC]

By the end of last year, the total accumulated debt of toll road construction companies had decreased from 4.27 trillion yuan ($688 billion) to 3.85 trillion yuan, according to a statistical bulletin on road toll fees released by the Ministry of Transport on Tuesday. Comments:

Admittedly, road construction still needs to be speeded up. But as public infrastructure, the expanding highway network cannot be someone's personal ATM. On the one hand, drivers should be able to choose free-of-charge roads. On the other, relevant information about the construction of new toll roads should be made public.

Yanzhao Metropolis Daily, July 1

A thorough audit of the profits or losses of all toll roads is needed to disclose a true balance sheet. A transparent toll fee system is also needed to avoid irregular management and rent-seeking that may have led to the considerable losses.

Beijing News, July 1

Of course, it is not a good time to cancel all toll fees for good. But the Ministry of Transport should regulate the management of toll roads and urge local governments, transport departments, and expressway enterprises to get rid of their excess staff and achieve higher efficiency. In the longer run, local governments are supposed to increase their transportation investments and make more roads accessible to the public.

rednet.cn, July 1

What is even worse than the huge debt amassed by constructing toll roads is the loopholes in their management that are exploited by corrupt officials to acquire illicit wealth. By misappropriating funds intended for road maintenance, they may as well exaggerate the deficit as a bargain chip to argue for higher toll fees.

sconline.com.cn, July 1