Budapest Mayor Tarlós To Launch Congestion Fee In 2013
- 15 Jun 2012 9:02 AM
The introduction of a congestion fee by the summer of 2013 may seem early, but it is unavoidable to raise funds for the financing of the Budapest transport company BKV, Budapest mayor István Tarlós said yesterday. The European Union set the congestion fee as a precondition for subsidising metro line number four, and it was accepted by the previous city leadership, Tarlós said last week.
The congestion fee will definitely be launched next summer, but it is not known whether one or two zones will be established.
The standard charge could be Ft 400-500, higher than the proposed Ft 320, the price of a metro ticket, Népszabadság and Népszava reported. Tarlós is apparently leaning toward setting a higher fee rather than making those who live within the zone pay, the dailies said.
There are still many uncertainties in the project such as defining zone boundaries, people eligible for benefits, time periods for the charge and the P+R (park and ride) parking lots required.
Costs associated with introducing the congestion fee could reach Ft 15 billion. The city council expects to generate Ft 8 billion in the second half of 2013 and Ft 20 billion in 2014 from the new fee. Motorcycles and scooters could be exempt from payment, wrote Népszabadság.
Source: Hungary Around the Clock
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