Former Interior Minister Carolina Tohá questioned the Government's announcement of a 25% cut in TAG tolls on Autopista Central, according to CNN Chile. In exchange for the reduction, the highway concession would be extended and a new tender postponed.
Tohá spoke with T13. She acknowledged that the measure provides relief to families but argued that it only helps in the immediate term. Her central argument concerns timing: a new tender, she said, would reduce tolls more substantially.
"You provide relief right now, in the short term, but you postpone the new tender, which will substantially lower the tolls people pay," she said. She described the reduction as "a tiny bit of relief" and "a small cut."
For drivers, the immediate change is a lower charge for using Autopista Central, which crosses Santiago from north to south. However, the report does not specify how many years would be added to the concession or when the reduction would take effect.
Asked whether the Government adopted the measure because of its poor poll ratings, Tohá responded by comparing it with the previous administration. "President Boric went through difficult periods in public approval, but he never softened or qualified his commitment not to allow further withdrawals," she said.
She added that Boric "was never willing to carry out these TAG deals, which essentially mean a little bread today and hunger tomorrow."
The former minister broadened her criticism to the idea of another withdrawal from pension funds. She described both measures as populist. She said she assumed the Government would not endorse withdrawals and hoped its lawmakers would not do so either.
According to Tohá, if the country chooses that path, "we will become poorer" and have fewer reserves to meet future challenges. She also warned that "already diminished public trust" would deteriorate.
The dispute pits two approaches against each other. Users gain an immediate discount. According to Tohá's argument, they lose the opportunity for a larger reduction had the tender taken place on the original schedule. So far, CNN Chile has not reported a Government response to these criticisms.
