P CONGESTION CHARGE
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Operators face Congestion Charge daily rate increase
laura.hailstonefarbi.co.uk CV OPERATORS delivering into London have been unfairly penalised by Boris Johnson's latest changes to the Congestion Charge, claims the Freight Transport Association (FTA).
Hidden behind the headline last week that the Mayor of London is removing the Western Extension Zone of the Congestion Charge. was an above-inflation increase of the daily charge.
The changes follow a 10-week public consultation in which the FTA had urged Transport for London art4 to immediately cap the current rate for commercial fleet operators at E7 and consider different charging levels for essential business journeys and discretionary
private car journeys However, the changes coming into effect from 4 January 2011 pay no heed to these suggestions, with charges increasing to: • £10 if paid in advance or on the day of travel; • £12 if paid by midnight the charging day after travel: • £9 if registered for the new CC Auto Pay system, (charged in arrears) or the fleet scheme (payment upfront).
"These price hikes are unjustified and represent an increase in costs to fleet operators of 42% in real terms since the introduction of the charge in 2003," says FTA head of policy for London Natalie Chapman.
"Some businesses will be able to qualify for a discount under the fleet scheme, but given the additional constraints that paying up front has on cashflow, a freeze on the current fee would have been more appropriate.
-After all, individual motorists can pay for their fees in arrears under the Auto Pay scheme, but are entitled to the same discount being applied to CV operators." The Mayor has also confirmed that the Alternative Fuel Discount, which provides a 100% discount on selected vehicles powered by an alternative fuel, will be ,,crapped from 24 December.
Although being replaced by a Greener Vehicle Discount, this isn't available to CV operators. Operators currently registered to receive the Alternative Fuel Discount will, however, continue to benefit until 24 December 2012.
Chapman therefore advises eligible operators not already registered, to do so ahead of the 24 December cut-off.