I'd support this move as a commuter and non car owner, but I completely understand why Mayoral leadership has completely dropped their bid for this given the freak out that happened over ULEZ.
I am a clean air campaigner and I do not own a car myself. However, I am not in favour of pay per mile. It’s far too intrusive and an impossible scheme to get the majority of people behind.
I am in favour of a tightening of the ULEZ compliance standards - diesel véhicules are an abomination for our health - and equally in favour of more accessible, more affordable and more reliable public transport.
As a mum with a child in a buggy, travelling by bus in London is very inconvenient. In Brent, where I live, it’s also painfully slow…We need more24/7 bus lanes, better designed buses (with more space for people in wheelchairs and more space for buggies) more accessible tube stations and less space for cars.
I’d be interested in the results of the test given nowhere in the world has been able to implement this.
There are a few places which have as a trial offered it as an alternative to a more traditional road tax, but it cannot be required due to various limitations of a technical or legal nature.
And the much cited Singapore system does not involve anything by the mile. It’s merely an automated congestion zone and toll roads without booths. No monitoring of distance travelled. They’d like to, but haven’t figured out the feasibility as yet.
Road pricing will have to come, but it’s political suicide unless well prepared with lots and lots of debates and facts on all sorts of media well ahead of any introduction.
It's a shame the politics stopped what seems like a sensible, modern, flexible plan. Driving further contributes more to pollution, congestion and road wear, so charging on distance is fair. A cap would be essential so delivery drivers and contractors like plumbers wouldn't be unfairly penalised. I wonder if the Congestion Charge and ULEZ fees will move up instead. London air is cleaner in recent years and I think the mayor's done a good job on that.
I know how exceptions pave the way to hell or something, but in this case, my (Spanish) mom has huge mobility problems after a bad surgery that damaged her nerve and cannot walk well. I guess any exception for mobility issues would be impossible for tourists, right?
This is always the issue isn't it - these policies only work if they're blanket and that inevitably would increase the cost of your mum getting around the city in cabs, etc.
Would like to have seen a photo of the vigilantes!
Superloop has been a revelation for getting to the airport and other places cheaply and quickly. Those buses are always packed. I wouldn't have minded this. It's a shame that our individualism will stop something that would benefit us all in the long run.
Superb, illuminating journalism. Thank you for reporting so clearly.
Thanks Ted, especially from yourself.
I'd support this move as a commuter and non car owner, but I completely understand why Mayoral leadership has completely dropped their bid for this given the freak out that happened over ULEZ.
Increasingly feels as though the Uxbridge by-election was one of the most notable votes in recent times.
Another issue is the constant tracking necessary for it. Not the best look on a civil liberties front.
I am a clean air campaigner and I do not own a car myself. However, I am not in favour of pay per mile. It’s far too intrusive and an impossible scheme to get the majority of people behind.
I am in favour of a tightening of the ULEZ compliance standards - diesel véhicules are an abomination for our health - and equally in favour of more accessible, more affordable and more reliable public transport.
As a mum with a child in a buggy, travelling by bus in London is very inconvenient. In Brent, where I live, it’s also painfully slow…We need more24/7 bus lanes, better designed buses (with more space for people in wheelchairs and more space for buggies) more accessible tube stations and less space for cars.
I’d be interested in the results of the test given nowhere in the world has been able to implement this.
There are a few places which have as a trial offered it as an alternative to a more traditional road tax, but it cannot be required due to various limitations of a technical or legal nature.
And the much cited Singapore system does not involve anything by the mile. It’s merely an automated congestion zone and toll roads without booths. No monitoring of distance travelled. They’d like to, but haven’t figured out the feasibility as yet.
Road pricing will have to come, but it’s political suicide unless well prepared with lots and lots of debates and facts on all sorts of media well ahead of any introduction.
Fuel duty is only going to drop as the electric shift finally happens...
It's a shame the politics stopped what seems like a sensible, modern, flexible plan. Driving further contributes more to pollution, congestion and road wear, so charging on distance is fair. A cap would be essential so delivery drivers and contractors like plumbers wouldn't be unfairly penalised. I wonder if the Congestion Charge and ULEZ fees will move up instead. London air is cleaner in recent years and I think the mayor's done a good job on that.
I know how exceptions pave the way to hell or something, but in this case, my (Spanish) mom has huge mobility problems after a bad surgery that damaged her nerve and cannot walk well. I guess any exception for mobility issues would be impossible for tourists, right?
This is always the issue isn't it - these policies only work if they're blanket and that inevitably would increase the cost of your mum getting around the city in cabs, etc.
Great story.
Would like to have seen a photo of the vigilantes!
Superloop has been a revelation for getting to the airport and other places cheaply and quickly. Those buses are always packed. I wouldn't have minded this. It's a shame that our individualism will stop something that would benefit us all in the long run.
As a pedestrian I support the scheme but also understand it was too radical and may have very very hostile reaction.