Tuesday, February 17, 2004

THE C WORD

Happy Birthday C-charge (PDF file) - one year-old today. Transport for London (i.e. "Sir" Ken Livingstone) trumpets that the C-Charge has been a success.

- Traffic delays inside the charging zone remain 30 percent lower than before charging was introduced.
- Buses continue to experience significant gains in reliability in and around the charging zone
- Surveys of over 700 businesses inside and immediately outside the charging zone have shown that wider economic and other factors were reported most frequently as influences on recent business performance
- Congestion charging contributes £50 million of net transport benefits to London’s economy per year, mainly through quicker and more reliable journeys for road and bus users.

Sayeth, "Lord Kenneth of Neasden":

"Congestion charging was a radical solution to a long standing problem. Before the introduction of the charge, London’s roads were clogged with slow-moving traffic and congestion was costing business £2m a week.

"The scheme has made a real difference in getting London moving again. Fewer vehicles in the zone coupled with improved bus services and faster, more reliable, vehicle journeys, make London a far better place to work, live and visit. Despite the dire predictions before the launch of the scheme, congestion charging has proved a success and that is why nearly three quarters of Londoners now support the scheme - because it works."

Unfortunately, Ken hired Crapita to administer the scheme. They are "officially" pants.

Now Ken wants to double the C-Charge area to include toffs in Kensington & Chelsea.

The Donut says, do more than that Ken.

- raise the charge to £6 per day
- raise the fines to £120

at the same time

- build segregated cycle lanes
- hire bus drivers who care a shit
- hire bus drivers with a softer touch on the accelerator and brake.

oh

- and get rid of bendy buses.

:: Posted by pete @ 13:51