Taxi Driver Online

Toll plan revealed

Motorists may have to pay to use roads according to how congested they are under proposals floated by the Government today.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling told the Commons a national road-pricing scheme was not yet feasible. But he said local schemes could be viable and the Government would press ahead with examining this with councils.

Unveiling a transport White Paper aimed at shaping strategy for the next 30 years, Mr Darling said a road-pricing study being published today showed the potential to cut congestion by about half.

The study said a scheme could become feasible in the next 10 to 15 years.
He warned that doing nothing would be the worst possible option, adding: "If we are not bold now, we will be left behind when the benefits become possible."

Mr Darling announced that a Bill allowing London's Crossrail project to go ahead would be introduced at the earliest opportunity, although major funding problems remained to be resolved.

Councils will also be given new powers over bus franchising to guarantee routes, timings and fares.

For the Tories, Tim Yeo protested that motorists faced worse congestion despite rising taxes while the railways were less reliable despite fares increasing above inflation.

He said the Government's 10-year transport plan had been a "disastrous failure".

I can't wait till the meter people try to sort out a tariff which has a hundred or so different rates.

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IDFIMH

The first thing I would like to see and they can start immediately is for all foreign vehicles to pay either a mileage payment on leaving, or a simple one off payment on entry.
On a recent trip to France there were no concessions for me.
Ged

simplest and fairest way would be to ditch the road tax and put 5p or so on a litre. (subsidised for taxis/ph and HGV of course). that way those who do a lot of miles or have a thirsty engine will pay more. those with small engines or do less miles pay less. would also save millions each year on the paperwork for the postoffice and staff at DVLA.