STATEMENT FROM THE CAMPAIGN FOR NEW YORK’S FUTURE
REGARDING THE REPORT ON LONDON’S CONGESTION PRICING

NEW YORK, July 6, 2007 –

“Today, Transport for London released their fifth annual report on the impact of congestion pricing in London.  The London report demonstrates quite conclusively that congestion pricing works.  Transport for London reports fewer cars and less traffic-related delay in its congestion zones, and the system is generating considerable new financing to improve the transit system.  Overall, the number of vehicles on London streets during the charging period is down 16% compared with pre-charging – and 21% down if you count only four-wheeled vehicles.  (Table 2.1 in the report)

“It should be a source of confidence for New York that congestion in London remains below pre-congestion pricing levels despite the loss of street capacity due to a massive and very disruptive sewer construction project.  As the report shows, traffic delays in 2006 were 8% below pre-congestion charging levels.  However, a series of massive sewer construction projects have torn up large portions of central London’s streets.  (Page 39)  London’s traffic would be immeasurably worse if congestion pricing had not been instituted.  Imagine how much worse New York’s traffic congestion could become if serious traffic-reduction strategies are not put in place, for example, prior to the simultaneous construction of five massive office towers, a Memorial and two transit hubs.

“The report also shows that roads in neighborhoods around the London zone have benefited from reduced traffic – and have not been jammed with park-and-riders as some critics have alleged.  In one neighborhood, traffic was up 1% in 2006 versus pre-charging levels; but in all of the other neighborhoods monitored, traffic was down 1-13%.  (Table 2.7)  This should reassure those New Yorkers who have been worried that areas above 86th Street in Manhattan and in Queens and Brooklyn would be flooded by commuters seeking to park and ride.  It hasn’t happened in London, and it won’t happen here.

“The enormous public health, environmental and transportation benefits of congestion pricing have been clearly and conclusively demonstrated again and again.  This report provides yet another illustration of why so many New Yorkers consider it essential that our leaders take action before July 16th to ensure New York City’s eligibility for up to $500 million in federal funds to prepare a pilot program and immediately move ahead with mass transit enhancements.”

Congestion pricing was implemented in London in 2003.

<<back