Since the start of the economic crisis in 2007, traffic on the toll roads in Spain has been steadily declining and is down 30%, its lowest level for fourteen years. Many people have reverted to using the alternative, and perfectly adequate, free roads covering the same routes.
Increased tolls, VAT hikes, increased fuel costs and reduced spending power have all contributed to the decline in traffic on the toll roads and the situation is expected to continue as the recession deepens.
Many of these toll roads are on the brink of bankruptcy and a few are already immersed in proceedings, such as the AP-41 between Madrid and Toledo, the AP-36 between Ocaña (Toledo) and La Roda (Albacete), the R-3, between Madrid and Arganda, the R-5 between Madrid and Navalcarnero and the section between Cartagena (Murcia) and Vera (Almería).