Drivers are going to have to pay tolls on Lisbon’s 25 de Abril bridge once again this August for the second year in a row, Lusoponte, the operator, said Monday, 30 July.

The bridge used to stop charging tolls in August as a “holiday bonus” to thousands of drivers, but the government decided to start charging again last year due to the country’s economic straits.

A Lusoponte source said the charges would remain in place until the end of the current concession in 2030.

Lisbon’s other main bridge the Vasco da Gama bridge never stopped charging in August.

Drivers are only charged coming northwards and although there is a free alternative in Vila Franca da Xira the extra fuel costs wipe out any toll savings for most people.

(Photograph: Nuno Luís)