Policy: Fairness & Equity

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The success of congestion charging will depend on the public’s perception of its necessity, justification and value. The costs and benefits of congestion charging will affect segments of the population differently. Revenues should therefore be used to improve accessibility for individuals disproportionately impacted. Cross-subsidisation is used in Japan for example, so that revenue raised on more profitable sections of the transport network such as urban areas is invested into less profitable areas. This policy stems from the belief that all citizens should be allowed equal access to the network. Another key strategy to ensure equity is to provide exemptions and discounts for disproportionately impacted groups. The decision in London to provide a 90% discount for residents living inside the cordon was based on minimising opposition (Levine and Garb, 2002; CfIT, 2006; Kakkad and Rossiter, 2007).

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