Romanian Transporters To File Complaint At EC Over Excessive Fines By Hungarian Authorities

The representatives of the two organizations, the Federation of Romanian Transport Operators (FORT) and the Owner Association Europa 2002 (APTE 2002), claim that the fines applied by Hungarian authorities are excessive, according to APTE 2002 secretary Siegfried Mayer at border crossing point Nagylak.

Furthermore, Mayer pointed out that the cooperation with the Hungarian authorities is excellent, stressing, however, that the regulations adopted by the Hungarian government in the sector of freight transport in 2007 should be aligned to international standards.

In October 2008, FORT said Hungarian authorities fined Romanian transporters and drivers over EUR20 million since the beginning of 2008, money Hungary used to upgrade its road infrastructure.

FORT president Augustin Hagiu said at the time that Hungary applies the highest fines in Europe, stressing the Hungarian control bodies simply abuse their authority when they fine Romanian drivers and transporters or abusively seize their commercial vehicles.

APTE 2002 is a professional organization set up in 2002 which promotes and protects the interests of road freight transporters at local and international level.

The organization currently has 300 members operating internal and international freight and passenger transport.

FORT is an employers’ federation that includes seven regional professional associations, which represent 5000 economic operators in the road transport sector. Furthermore, these economic operators own nearly 15,000 vehicles and employ 20,000 people.