Zeybek raises concern over free toll passage for Thrace Residents
Hüseyin Zeybek, Member of Parliament for İskeçe and agricultural policy spokesperson for the New Left Party (Nea Aristera), submitted a parliamentary question opposing the possible abolition of free toll passage for permanent residents of Thrace on the Egnatia Odos highway.
The MP warned that the measure, which has helped reduce transportation costs for residents in the region, is at risk of being effectively abolished for those who purchased new vehicles after January 1, 2026.
Residents Facing Rising Travel Costs
According to Zeybek, the potential loss of toll exemptions has caused strong frustration among residents of Thrace, where travel between neighboring regional units is frequent due to professional, social, and economic needs.
He noted that the electronic platform used to identify vehicles and issue new free-passage permits has not yet been activated since January 1, 2026. The platform is now expected to be operated by the private concession company managing the Egnatia Odos highway.
Previously, the certification process was handled by the Greek Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
Platform Delay Sparks Concern
Despite assurances that the exemption policy would continue, the system’s delay has forced many residents to either pay daily toll fees or use secondary road networks that are considered less safe.
Zeybek argued that the ongoing suspension of the certification platform is unacceptable and unfair to residents living in border regions such as İskeçe, Rhodope, and Meriç.
Questions to the Government
In his parliamentary question, Zeybek asked the government to clarify:
- When the vehicle certification system and toll exemption permit process will be reactivated by the concession company, after remaining inactive since January 1, 2026.
- What steps the government has taken to ensure that new free-passage permits will be issued to permanent residents of Thrace and to prevent the effective abolition of the measure.
The issue has sparked wider debate in the region, where the Egnatia Odos highway is a critical transportation route connecting Northern Greece.
