The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has announced plans to make the Congestion Charge ‘fairer and easier’ as he announces a number of changes to the scheme set to be introduced next year.
Proposals include the introduction of an automated account system called 'CC Auto Pay' to make it easier for customers to pay the charge and to avoid having to pay fines, and an increase in the Congestion Charge designed to maintain the benefits of reduced traffic in central London.
These changes include plans of an increase of the daily charge from £8 to £9 for CC Auto Pay customers and an increase of the daily charge to £10 for customers who do not take up CC Auto Pay but continue to pay through existing payment channels. The mayor has also planned the removal of the £1 fleet discount so that fleet operators will pay the same per vehicle as customers using CC Auto Pay.
These measures would sit alongside the proposed removal of the Western Extension of the Zone and a range of mitigation measures, and would all be introduced by December 2010 subject to legal processes.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: "’I pledged to make the Congestion Charge fairer and easier to pay and these measures will make that a reality. Once introduced, drivers registering for CC Auto Pay can rest assured they’ll never receive a penalty charge again.
"The proposed increase in the Charge will ensure that the system remains effective in controlling traffic levels in central London, and the revenue will also help us fund the vital improvements to London’s transport network that all Londoners want to see."
The automated payment account system will mean that motorists who register for an account can pay the Congestion Charge by debit or credit card, or by Direct Debit and avoid the possibility of ever receiving a penalty charge.
The new system, provisionally entitled CC Auto Pay, would calculate the number of journeys a vehicle makes within the zone each week, and debit customers’ accounts on a weekly basis. Motorists who continue to use existing payment methods would be charged £10 per day.
Should they go ahead, these proposed changes would come into effect by December 2010.
This is to allow for the necessary public and stakeholder consultations and the other statutory processes involved, and to ensure Transport for London (TfL) can introduce all the changes at the same time and put in place mitigation measures should the Western Extension be removed (see notes to editors for more detail on these and on the consultation process).
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) welcomed news of an automated payment system for the London Congestion Charge.
Gordon Telling, FTA's Head of Policy for London, said: "While it is disappointing that the congestion charge has gone up at all, we are pleased that the majority of companies that move freight through the capital and don't have the option of public transport are still afforded a discount.
"We welcome the introduction of the automated payment system which brings to small companies the same savings in administration that were previously only available to larger fleets. This is particularly helpful when Congestion Charge payments slip through the net and cause significant costs to smaller firms that are under pressure from all sides."
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