Does Canada’s Largest City Want Congestion Charges?

Torontonians Open to Congestion Charge to Fund Transportation System (8 page pdf, Angus Reid Public Opinion, Nov. 6, 2011)

Also discussed here: Poll shows support for congestion fees (Tess Kalinowski, Toronto Star, Nov. 5, 2011)

The answer to the question posed today seems to be yes, judging from a poll taken recently in Toronto which interestingly also found a dislike for tolls or taxes aimed at drivers. The time to travel to work issue seems to be the main factor affecting a commuter’s decision to take their own vehicle, take transit, cycle or walk. The reduced travel time and improved air pollution levels found in London and Stockholm after several years of congestion pricing appear to be a valid argument in favour of implementing this in other large cities which suffer from congestion, especially those with small congested Central Business Districts, such as Ottawa .



Key Quotes:

“While commuters are overwhelmingly opposed to the tax and toll schemes being floated to fund public transit improvements, the poll showed congestion fees were a measure they might be willing to consider”

“Fifty-five per cent .. said they strongly or moderately support a congestion charge like the one used to curb traffic in central London, England”

“More than a toll, this is a way of addressing how to fund (transportation) but it’s a way also of just reducing congestion. I think anyone who comes to Toronto on a regular basis recognizes traffic’s a pretty big problem”

“A 1 per cent sales tax to fund transit was rejected by 67 per cent, and 54 per cent were opposed to highway tolls. Fifty-four per cent said a 10 per cent increase on the gas tax was a bad or very bad idea”

“Forty-seven per cent of respondents said they commute by car, and 38 per cent used transit. Fourteen per cent walked and 6 per cent biked.The average one-way commute among those polled was about 37 minutes”

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• How to Cure Congestion: more roads, more public transit, or congestion pricing? (pollutionfree.wordpress.com)
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• Danish Plans for Road Pricing and Congestion Charging (pollutionfree.wordpress.com)
• Traffic Accidents and Optimum Congestion Charges (pollutionfree.wordpress.com)
• 'Pay now or pay later' for transit (thestar.com)
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• Introducing Congestion Charging in China (pollutionfree.wordpress.com)
• The Politics of Congestion Pricing (pollutionfree.wordpress.com)
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