London's soaring parking costs

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Date: 2007-05-27

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The 8 pounds/day (about US$16) congestion toll levied on drivers entering London's core has been credited with reducing traffic and pollution levels. However, an increase in the toll area initiated early this year appears to be having some unwanted effects.

Within the expanded congestion toll area residents get a 90% discount on the congestion tolls. This seems to be leading to an increase of driving within the enlarged zone and an unexpected increase in traffic congestion. Meanwhile the cost of scarce parking spaces has been soaring, some going for as much as 150,000 pounds sterling (about US$ 300,000)!

Public transit doesn't seem to offer much relief either. Lack of air conditioning in the London Tube (subway) system makes it very uncomfortable in hot weather and this year looks like being another record swelter.

A spokesman for London underground transport said, "We are going to be completely honest with passengers. We have a strategy for mitigating the worst of the hot weather but it is going to take years to implement."

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