"My memory is a bit sketchy on the details, but I seem to recall the stats on the London CC being only 85-90% effective. Meaning that the vast majority of users just pay the charge. And that is in London, a city with amazing public transport."
That at least means a 10-15% reduction in congestion, which can often make all the difference, plus a lot more money for public transport. I was in London at the time the charge came in (the cordon was in fact right outisde my window), and the immediate effect was that buses in central London suddenly became a viable option. Previously, they were usually slower than walking, but they're now a useful part of the transport network.
And it's all just a consultant's report at the moment, not a concrete proposal: see this rather horrified press release from GWRC.
"My memory is a bit sketchy on the details, but I seem to recall the stats on the London CC being only 85-90% effective. Meaning that the vast majority of users just pay the charge. And that is in London, a city with amazing public transport."
That at least means a 10-15% reduction in congestion, which can often make all the difference, plus a lot more money for public transport. I was in London at the time the charge came in (the cordon was in fact right outisde my window), and the immediate effect was that buses in central London suddenly became a viable option. Previously, they were usually slower than walking, but they're now a useful part of the transport network.