Emborissing dilemma

I base my forthcoming comments to you on past media reports, about the London congestion tax. Kulveer Ranger, the mayor’s spokesman on transport matters, has almost admitted that the scrapping of the congestion charge for West London (which is due to end this coming Christmas Eve) is not only due to Mayor Boris pledge before he was elected, but, more importantly, it’s running at a huge loss and it’s deeply unpopular with small businesses in the area. Apparently the main London Congestion Tax is not the goldmine Ken Livingstone thought it would be and is making little money. To cover its costs, it is estimated the Congestion Tax would have to go up to a whopping £30, per day. Quite ridiculous. In fact, if it was not for the fines, the Congestion Tax would run at a loss. The mayor’s transport spokesman, almost conceded it was political dogma that kept this awful tax alive.

Asked on 28 August 2010 by SS, via email

Answered by Honest John

Just before the mayoral election Ken was questioned in a radio interview about the Congestion Charge and why drivers could not simply register for it so their accounts could be directly debited every time they entered - just like an aftermarket ‘Kenbuster’ gizmo you can buy. He replied somewhat condescendingly that the interviewer did not understand TfL’s IT system and that it was technologically impossible to do this. That obfuscation helped get Boris in. But Boris has still not instituted the simple change, which does seem to confirm that the fines income is necessary to cover the enormous costs.

Tags: london congestion charge driving

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