The Albanian government aims for approximately 20% of the road network to be included in electronic tolling schemes by 2030, as part of the measures in the transport sector strategy and action plan until 2030.
The document focuses, among other things, on expanding Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) across the entire TEN-T network, including real-time traffic management, asset monitoring, and providing information to travelers. An important component of this is also the development of digital ticketing in intercity transport and sustainable electronic tolling (e-tolling) systems.
Within this framework, the strategy envisages preparing the legal and technical framework for digital road tolling, in accordance with European standards such as the Eurovignette Directive and the European Electronic Toll Service (EETS). The piloting of e-tolling will begin on the highest-traffic segments of the TEN-T network, after the corresponding infrastructure is established.
The government plans to create a special fund from road toll and electric vehicle charging payments, which will go towards road maintenance.
"The creation of a dedicated fund for road maintenance, financed through user fees (road tolls, electric vehicle charging fees) in full compliance with the principles of the Eurovignette Directive and Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure," states the strategy.
Currently, several road segments are tolled, including the Nation's Road, the Thumanë-Kashar axis, and the Llogara Tunnel, for which toll application is expected within the summer season. In addition to road tolling, the strategy also envisages the implementation of digital ticketing in intercity passenger transport, aiming for fuller integration of services and increased transparency in revenue collection.
At the same time, the government appears set to remain faithful to its pro-public-private partnership (PPP) and concession approach in the infrastructure sector in the coming years.
The strategy considers these instruments as complementary tools for mobilizing private investment and accelerating project implementation, particularly in road construction and major infrastructure development. According to the document, the model aims to improve fiscal sustainability and reduce delays, while simultaneously ensuring more efficient use of public funds. Special emphasis is also placed on intercity transport, where PPPs are envisaged to be encouraged for the operation, maintenance, and modernization of terminals.
These developments come at a time when new companies related to the sector have "emerged." One of them is the National Road Operation Entity (EKORR), tasked with managing toll roads, including operating automatic gates and administering electronic tolling systems. Meanwhile, the company "Mob AI" was later created, focusing on operating public road transport, including electronic ticketing, fleet management, and developing digital systems for service monitoring.