Hacker News Reader

That's because the State delegated construction and exploitation to private entities.

It was initially a fixed term contract to build and exploit the roads, where government had 50% stake in the company. When the contract reached its term, instead of keeping operating the roads, government sold its stake. That started a massive hike in prices, firing of thousands employees.

On the other hand, were the previous prices covering the actual costs or was it partially supported by money coming from taxes? Whereas now the toll has to cover the maintenance and gives money back to the state through taxation of private companies.

Same question for the countries where it is state-owned and cheaper.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com