An agreement between the province of Zeeland and the central government ensures that the Westerschelde Tunnel will be toll-free for passenger transport from 2025.
This groundbreaking decision means enormous financial relief for Zeeland motorists, who have had to pay tolls to use this crucial connection since the tunnel opened in 2003. The agreement was officially ratified at the time by provincial executive Harry van der Maas and minister Mark Harbers.
Van der Maas spoke of a “historic moment” and emphasized the importance of this step for the region. “It is a very good step towards making the Westerscheldetunnel completely toll-free,” he said. “A first big step, because I will continue to work tirelessly for a completely toll-free tunnel, also for freight traffic.” Although this last goal has not yet been achieved, the abolition of the toll for passenger transport is a major step forward.
years of frustration
The toll on the Westerscheldetunnel was a thorn in the side of both residents and entrepreneurs in Zeeland for years. The tunnel, which is the only fixed connection between Zeeuws-Vlaanderen and the rest of the Netherlands, meant an unavoidable expense for many people. For motorists with a subscription, the toll was an average of 4,80 euros per trip, while occasional users had to pay 5,70 euros. For frequent travellers, these amounts quickly added up.
“It is a relief for all Zeelanders who use the tunnel daily,” a local entrepreneur from Terneuzen stated. “This measure not only reduces costs, but also strengthens the cohesion in the region.”
State and Province
Making the tunnel toll-free for categories 1, 2 and 5 (lower than three metres) was made possible in part by a financial injection from the previous cabinet. With an amount of 140 million euros, the toll will be abolished eight years earlier than planned. Former Minister Harbers emphasised the importance of this investment: “We will ensure that the Westerscheldetunnel becomes an accessible connection for everyone, without the financial threshold preventing people from using this infrastructure.”
The caretaker status of the cabinet also brought some uncertainty, but thanks to intensive cooperation between the province and the government, this plan was still realized. Van der Maas praised the efforts of Harbers and his team: "Without this cooperation we would not have achieved this result."
Although the toll for freight traffic will remain in place for the time being, the Province continues to work towards a complete abolition. “We are not there yet, but this is a huge step in the right direction,” Van der Maas concluded.
The abolition of the toll will not only relieve the wallets of Zeelanders, but also contribute to the economic development of the region. It is expected that both mobility and the quality of life in Zeeland will improve. "With a toll-free tunnel, the region will become more attractive for both residents and businesses," according to a spokesperson for the Province of Zeeland.
Entrepreneurs from the region hope for a positive boost for tourism and trade. “Especially in the summer months we often see that tourists shy away because of the toll,” said a hospitality entrepreneur from Breskens. “Now that access to Zeeland is becoming easier, we hope for more visitors and a more vibrant economy.”
t-tag redundant
The decision to make the Westerscheldetunnel toll-free for passenger transport from 2025 not only has a financial impact, but also changes the way motorists use the tunnel. With more than a hundred thousand t-tags in circulation, many Zeelanders will have to pay for their electronic toll payment system become redundant. Most t-tags, about eighty percent, are used by vehicles in categories 1, 2 and 5, i.e. cars and light vehicles lower than three meters.
“We used to depend on the t-tag to get through the tunnel quickly,” says a resident of Hulst who commutes to Middelburg every day. “But now that the toll is gone, we simply don’t need it anymore.”
For years, the t-tag was an indispensable tool for motorists who regularly drove through the Westerscheldetunnel. This small device provided automatic toll payment at the barriers, so drivers did not have to stop to pay. For many Zeelanders, it was a practical solution, but with the abolition of the toll for passenger transport, the need for this technology disappears.
