How Can City Politicians Gain Public Support for Congestion Charging?

How local governments can take congestion pricing from concept to reality(Heshuang Zeng, The CityFix(EMBARQ), Apr. 22, 2014)

Today we review an article that looks at successes achieved in implementing congestion charging and what steps were taken to ensure that. It seems to have a lot to do with planning in advance and provide transparency to the public in how revenue from the fees collected would be distributed in a fair manner and justifying the initial implementation costs using cost benefit analyses, as well as having the all out support of the Mayor from the beginning(which takes some courage). Cities such as Stockholm, London, Bogota, New York City (one day) and Beijing demonstrate many of these elements of success.

    

Key Quotes:

“Singapore was the first city to introduce congestion pricing in 1975, but it was not until London implemented the policy in 2005 that it began to receive global attention. In recent months, discussions around introducing the measure have also reemerged in New York City, Beijing, and Bogotá”

“some cities have rephrased the term “congestion pricing” to other more positive terms, like New York City, which calls their initiative the “Fair Tolling Plan” and makes it clear that its goal is to produce greater social equity.”

“city leaders can advance congestion pricing in a way that community members can understand and appreciate.”:

• ”Communication and outreach is key for success…some cities have rephrased the term “congestion pricing” to other more positive terms, like New York City, which calls their initiative the “Fair Tolling Plan”…
• People are willing to pay – for a purpose…When city leaders proposed congestion pricing in PlaNYC, they also suggested setting up a regional transportation funding authority (SMART) to manage the revenues from the policy…
• Justifying the cost…Local governments need to justify the policy to funding providers through cost benefit analysis and look secure funding from national and state level bodies, as well…
• Big costs have big pay-offs…With additional guidance and resources, cities like Beijing and Bogotá, which have longed explored the measure, can finally turn discussion into reality and use congestion pricing to improve quality of life for urban residents.”

 

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