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14
CILTWorld issue 9
ROAD PRICING
service representatives, and TfL is due to improve
the enforcement processes and implement an
enhanced Performance Indicator regime.
Enquiries via the telephone call centre now
average around 70,000 calls per week – a fall from
the 167,000 average of the first few weeks of
operation. This reduction is said to be due to
increased public awareness of the scheme, both in
terms of its policy and its operation, and reduced
use of the call centre for payments.
Enforcement Improvements
In the first six months an average of 106,200
Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) were issued per
month. At the end of September, around 14,200
appeals had been registered. By November 2003,
10,600 of these appeals had been processed, with
4,000 being referred to the independent
adjudicator.
Additional bus services
have included the
introduction of
London’s first
articulated buses (left)
Recent figures show an ongoing trend in the
reduction of the number of representations and
appeals. Since the summer more than 110
persistent evaders have had their vehicles
clamped or removed and impounded by TfL. The
number of vehicles clamped or removed is
expected to increase over the coming months.
The number of representations made by vehicle
keepers in response to PCNs has significantly
decreased month on month. Representations
made in response to PCNs currently lie at about
16% compared with 62% in the opening weeks
of the scheme.
As a result of the renegotiations with Capita, and
the improvements demanded by TfL, it is expected
that the numbers of PCNs issued will increase,
while the efficiency of handling representations
will be improved.
Revenues
Congestion charging is now expected to generate
£68 million ($105m) in the 2003/4 financial year
for spending on transport improvements.
Revenues are expected to increase to £80-£100
million ($125m - $155m) in subsequent years as
improved enforcement is implemented from
autumn 2003 onwards.
The net revenues are lower than originally
projected, largely due to the lower number of
chargeable vehicles entering the zone than
predicted, but also because of a higher number of
exempt and discounted vehicles.
London’s ‘improved quality of life’
Less congestion and fewer vehicles have eased the
strain of travelling around central London leading
to improved quality of life for those who live in,
work in, or visit central London.
London’s congestion charging scheme, whilst
having some early teething problems, is tackling
key transport priorities and helping improve
London and its environment, TfL reckons. TfL says
it will continue to monitor the impacts closely to
ensure that these benefits are maintained. Fuller
details of the impacts of the scheme will be
provided in the Second Annual Monitoring
Report, expected to be published in spring 2004.
• A full copy of ‘Congestion Charging: 6 Months
On’ — and full details of how the London
congestion charging scheme works — can be
found on the TfL website at:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/cc_intro.shtml