28. 07. 10. - 15:00

Motorway toll sticker price edges up

Motorway authority Asfinag said today (Weds) next year’s annual motorway toll sticker will be slightly more expensive than its predecessor.

The organisation announced the mango-coloured sticker for cars – on sale from November – will cost 76.50 Euros, up by 30 Eurocents year on year, adding that the "Vignette" sticker for motorcycles can be purchased for 30.50 Euros (2010: 30.40 Euros).

Prices for 10-day lorry stickers (7.90 Euros) and 10-day and two-month options for cars (4.50 Euros / 11.50 Euros) will remain the same as in 2010.

Driving without valid "Vignette" stickers can cost up to 300 Euros.

Asfinag stressed all takings from "Vignette" sales will be invested on improving Austria’s road network.

The company made around 340 million Euros by selling 22.1 million road toll stickers. Asfinag announced it expected earnings to soar to 355 million Euros this year.

Asfinag’s decision to publish purple 2010 "Vignette" stickers tempted thousands of die-hard Rapid Vienna fans to stick them the wrong way round on the windscreens of their vehicles since this is the colour of archrivals Austria Vienna. Rapid Vienna sport green and white jerseys.

"Vignette" stickers were introduced in 1997 and the 2010 version was preceded by a lime green model, while the 2000 model was simple green and the 2005 version mint green.

Austria Vienna marketing chiefs reacted to the outrage among Rapid fans by producing T-shirts featuring the slogan "There’s nothing nicer than driving around in purple for a whole year!". The merchandising product has become a hit with supporters of the vice champions.