Congestion charge action call

A decision by Transport for London (TfL) to consult on removing the exemption from the Congestion Charge for private hire vehicles (PHVs) has won a guarded welcome from London Assembly transport committee chairman Caroline Pidgeon.

She noted her committee had called for private hire vehicles to be charged the same as others entering the Congestion Charge zone and members therefore welcomed the consultation given the number of minicabs in the capital had “exploded” in recent years.

However, she added: “TfL and the mayor should understand that the Congestion Charge itself is a very blunt instrument which encourages more road use by those who have paid the one-off charge, as drivers may think driving around means they get their money’s worth.

“Even Transport for London’s own estimate of the impact of this policy is that it would only see a reduction of 600 minicabs per day, which is a tiny amount relative to the overall number of cars.

“Only a new, smart road pricing scheme, where people pay relative to how much they use the roads, can cut congestion.”

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