London Congestion Charge

The London Congestion Charge is a fee for motorists entering the Central London area. London was not the first city to adopt congestion charging, but as of 2005 it is the largest city to do so. The organisation responsible for administering the charge is Transport for London (TfL).

Related Topics:
London - City - Congestion charging - As of 2005 - Transport for London

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The fee was introduced on 17 February 2003. The daily fee of £8 must be paid by the registered owner of a vehicle that enters, leaves or moves around within the Congestion Charge zone between 7am and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. If the charge is not paid by 10pm on the day of travel the charge is increased to £10: this is intended to cut the number of last-minute payments. Failure to pay by midnight means a fine of at least £50. From 17 February 2003 until 4 July 2005, the fee was £5. It then increased 300% in the first two years.

Related Topics:
17 February - 2003 - Monday - Friday - 4 July - 2005

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In September 2005, the Western Expansion of the Congestion Charge was confirmed, and it will come into effect in February 2007. See Future Plans

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The congestion charge was suspended on 7 July and 8 July 2005, in response to the terrorist attacks on London Transport.

Related Topics:
7 July - 8 July - 2005 - Terrorist attacks on London Transport

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Some vehicles such as buses, minibuses (over a certain size), taxis, emergency service vehicles (i.e. ambulances, fire engines and police vehicles), motorcycles, alternative fuel vehicles and bicycles are exempt from the charge (technically, some of the exemptions are 100% discounts and still require registration). Residents of the zone are eligible for a 90% discount if they pay the charge for a week or more at once.

Related Topics:
Bus - Taxi - Emergency service - Motorcycle - Alternative fuel - Bicycle

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The stated aim of the scheme is to encourage travellers to use public transport, cleaner vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles or their own two feet instead of motor cars and vans, thus reducing congestion and allowing for faster, less polluting and more predictable journeys. TfL says that much of the money raised in the scheme is invested in public transport.

Related Topics:
Public transport - Bicycle - Motorcycle - Car - Vans - Congestion

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Other cities using congestion charging zones around the world include Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and Singapore — the first city to do so, in 1998. (Full comparison at http://www.cfit.gov.uk/congestioncharging/factsheets/world/).

Related Topics:
Oslo - Bergen - Trondheim - Singapore - 1998

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