A motorway exit in Nice.

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SYSPEO / SIPA

It is "imperative to no longer extend the duration of the motorway concessions" which should expire from 2031, estimated in a report published on Friday by a Senate commission of inquiry.

It examined "the situation of concessions whose profitability is generally perceived as too favorable".

In particular, it recommends “closer control of the motorway concession companies (SCA) markets”, “improvement of service to users”, “preparation for the end of concessions” without extending their duration and anticipation of the end of the concessions. future management of motorways with a 15-year limitation on the duration of future concessions.

Profitability achieved ten years before the end of the concession

"More than 90% of the French motorway network conceded is managed by" historic "SCAs, created between the mid-1950s and the early 1970s, explains the report, noting that" since their privatization in 2006 "the duration of concessions of these SCAs, held by three private groups Vinci (ASF, Cofiroute, Escota), Eiffage (APRR) and Abertis (Sanef) "has been extended several times without a call for competition".

According to an "independent study" requested by the commission rapporteur Vincent Delahaye (Centrist Union, Essonne), "two of the three motorway groups could achieve the expected profitability during privatization ten years before the end of the concessions", ie around 2022 , citing Vinci autoroutes and Eiffage.

“The status quo is not possible.

It is imperative to better share the profits of the motorway companies with the State and the users, and to rebalance the relations between the grantor and the concessionaires, ”said Vincent Delahaye.

A model to review

With this in mind, the committee recommends “above all” a review of the motorway system when the concessions expire (between 2031 and 2036).

"The economic balance of concessions" must be defined to "allow part of the profitability to finance new investments in the network and a modulation of tolls in favor of daily journeys, carpooling and clean vehicles", judge- she does.

Business models must also be reviewed, according to the report.

The economic model of motorway concessions provides for the transfer to the concessionaire of “risk linked to the construction and operation of infrastructure”.

The concessionaire is remunerated by tolls over time and must ultimately return the infrastructure to the State (grantor).

It normally results in high initial losses and a “fair return on invested capital” over the last period of the concession.

Society

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Miscellaneous

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  • Senate

  • Tolls

  • Highway

  • Economy