Monday, February 17, 2003

Congestion charges in London: payment by mobile and SMS

Planet Multimedia reports that congestion charging has started in London. Payment of the 5 pounds charge may take place by using SMS or the Internet.



My guess would be that the anti-congestion effect is temporary. In two years, traffic will be jammed once again. But the funny thing may be that by then, many cities have adopted the London model (as it appeared to work in the beginning....).



Facts of today:

Transport for London said

-traffic was about 25% lighter than normal and that there was no evidence of significant congestion problems but a spokesman conceded: "It's still very early days."

-that 66,000 people had paid the charge by 3pm and it expected more would do so on the way home.



See also:

-website of congestion charing London

-BBC article.