Even before the entry into force of the Government's decision to introduce the Platon system, strikes of truck drivers began, categorically opposing this innovation. And although the system has been in place for several years, the protests have not stopped until now.
It is necessary to understand what “Plato” is - the system of charging for the use of roads by trucks, how it works now, and why truckers are so actively protesting against this innovation.
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Plato system
As of the end of 2013, over 1.7 million trucks weighing over twelve tons were registered in the Russian Federation.
Such vehicles cause damage to public roads, destroying the roadbed, which increases the need for repairs. To compensate for the cash costs, a decision was made at the government level to levy.
For the practical implementation of this decision, it was planned to organize a tender, in which both foreign and domestic companies would take part.
However, this procedure was canceled, and the domestic company RTITS was appointed as the operator of the system (which, in fact, became one of the reasons for the protests of truckers). The enterprise is owned by Igor Rotenberg and an organization called RT-Invest.
Platon is an automatic system responsible for collecting data on the movement of cars weighing more than 12 tons on the roads of Russia, collecting fees from their drivers for using the roadway, followed by transferring funds to the federal treasury and local budgets. All procedures are carried out automatically. The operation of the system is paid by the state.
November 15, 2015 is the official launch date for Plato. From now on, road tolls are collected from all vehicles whose weight exceeds 12 tons. The fee is not charged from drivers of passenger cars, emergency vehicles, military vehicles and buses engaged in the transportation of people.
Today, more than two million vehicles are already registered in the system. It contains data on 51,000 kilometers of road surface. Despite this, Plato is only a transitional link before the next program, which will be introduced in 2020, and should serve as a foundation for it.
Features of the system functioning
On-board device "Platon"
First of all, the driver needs to go through the registration procedure in the system.
After that, he will get access to his personal account, which will be used for further payment for traffic and other actions. How does the Plato system work? There are several ways to use the service:
- Making a route map.
- Installation of a special on-board device.
The first method involves contacting the customer support center with an advance payment for a future trip and receiving a special document (route card).
It is more expedient to conclude an agreement with the operator and install special equipment, as this will save the driver from having to take care of obtaining a card before each trip.
Reference! The installed equipment automatically calculates the distance traveled.
This data is transmitted to the processing center with a certain frequency, after which funds are debited from the current account of the truck owner for the path that he has traveled on federal roads. This method provides for the preliminary deposit of a certain amount of funds into the account, although post-payment is also allowed.
The on-board unit automatically enters sleep mode (does not keep track of the distance traveled) in the event of a stop either:
- Exit from the federal highway.
- Departure to the paid federal highway.
Installation and activation of devices should be carried out by vehicle drivers. But they began to protest against the system even before it was introduced. Active protests continued throughout 2016. A similar situation was observed in 2017. The holding of protests is caused by the well-founded disadvantages of this system.
Pros and Cons of Plato
Among the advantages of the system are its automated operation and the direction of the collected money for the repair of existing roads. With the help of the fees, the Government hopes to improve the quality of the road surface, which could potentially lead to a reduction in the number of accidents on the roads. It is also noted that the fee scheme is completely transparent and excludes the use of corruption schemes.
Important! Meanwhile, the latter statement lends itself to criticism from truckers.
The mere fact of using a private rather than a state-owned company causes a negative attitude, which is only intensified by who the owners of the company are. Some suspicions are also caused by the authorized capital of the system operator. The company, which collects funds throughout the country, began its activities with a capital of 100 thousand rubles.
The reasons for criticism are also the following circumstances:
- High fare. During the introduction of the system, the cost of one kilometer of track was 3 rubles 73 kopecks. That is, one had to pay 3,730 rubles for a thousand kilometers.
- Collection of a new tax, without canceling the old ones. Truck drivers are dissatisfied with the fact that, in addition to existing taxes, which should go to repair roads, they are being charged an additional fee.
- Lack of pre-launch testing, which subsequently led to a raw product release. Truckers complain that the system is underdeveloped, "raw" and needs to be improved.
There is another minus of "Platon", the negative effect of which applies to all citizens, and not just to carriers. Travel expenses are an additional item of expenditure. Producers use this to raise prices for products, which ordinary citizens feel.
System operation today
Trucker protests had an effect. The tax rate was more than halved. In addition, the issue of exempting truckers from a number of other taxes is being considered. However, the protesting citizens failed to achieve their main goal. As noted in the Government, "Plato" will not be cancelled. The issue of suspension of the program is also not considered.
Today the system is operating normally. All citizens driving vehicles weighing over twelve tons are required to pay for travel on federal highways.
Truckers can check in remotely, but to receive equipment they will have to visit the customer support center in person.
Tariffs "Platon" changed several times. First, the amount of 3.73 rubles per kilometer was announced. The protests that began forced the Government to halve the amount of the tax, to 1.53 rubles. But in 2017, the fare was again revised, this time upwards. Since April, the tariff has risen to 1.9 rubles per kilometer.
For evading payment, the driver can be punished with a fine. The amount of the penalty depends on the specific case and can reach one million rubles. But there are also positive aspects. Today, citizens have the opportunity to use the funds paid through the system to change the amount of transport tax.
How to reduce the transport tax on "Platon"? To do this, you need to collect documents (including receipts for payment of the fee), and then contact the FMS department. You can use this benefit for only one vehicle.
Meanwhile, strikes against the system continue. The last protest was registered in December 2017. However, as statistics show, the protest base is becoming narrower, with many truckers refusing to protest.
Registration in the system
You can register remotely. To do this, you need to go to the official website of the system and prepare electronic copies of documents (personal passport and papers for the vehicle).
To register in the Platon system, you must proceed as follows:
- Go to the platon.ru resource, then fill out a special registration form and send sample documents.
- Next, the papers provided and the information entered in the questionnaire are checked. The citizen will have to wait until it ends.
- Upon completion of the verification, the person is entered into the register and receives data for access to the personal account, through which payments can be made.
You can also personally visit one of the customer support centers and submit documents manually. Please note that in order to receive an on-board unit, it is mandatory to make a personal visit.
Payments can be made via:
- representative offices of "Platon" or terminals of this system;
- "Kiwi";
- bank, by bank transfer.
A citizen can also use fuel cards "DKV", "E". But the most convenient way to deposit funds is to use bank plastic in your personal account. The functionality of this service allows you to replenish your account.
Conclusion
Thus, drivers of vehicles weighing more than twelve tons are required to register in the Platon system. Despite ongoing protests, more than two million vehicles have already been entered into the program's registry to date.
The Platon tariff has not changed since April 2017 and at the beginning of 2018 is 1.9 rubles per kilometer.