TfL is asking for views on upping the congestion charge
Transport for London (TfL) has hatched a new plan to raise funds, announcing today that it'd like Londoners' views on some changes to the congestion charge – which it's intending to increase.
The daily charge, which has been £10 since 2011, will be upped to £11.50 with the new proposals.
The increase will raise around £84m by the end of 2017/18. The congestion charge was introduced in 2003, with more than £1.2bn revenue being invested in transport since then.
At present, the cost of the charge is falling in real terms, TfL said.
Garrett Emmerson, TfL’s chief operating officer for Surface Transport:
We are keen to hear what Londoners and motorists have to say about the proposed changes to the Congestion Charging scheme. The proposed changes will ensure the Congestion Charge remains an effective deterrent to making unnecessary journeys in central London.
Rather than £9 if paid using CC Auto Pay, or £12 if paid the next charging day, the increase would see those figures rise to £10.50 and £14.
With over 220,000 registered accounts, the changes will see direct debit payments made possible, along with reimbursement for charges paid via CC Auto Pay by NHS patients and staff.
The public consultation will run until 14 March, with TfL preparing a report for Mayor Boris Johnson setting out public feedback. He'll then make a decision on whether or not to press on with the changes.