US tops 'congestion charge debt'

POSTED BY: citizen
UPDATED: Thursday, May 4, 2006 22:43
VIEWED: 5753
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CITIZEN

Thursday, May 4, 2006 1:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by FutureMrsFillion:
Huh? I am sorry that makes no sense.

It makes perfect sense if you factor in how taxes and local government works in the UK. For it to be a tax it would have to be levied on all roads with in the London Boroughs that operate a congestion charge. Otherwise it's selecting roads that have a higher throughput, and exacting a toll to pay for the increased maintenance costs, isn't it?

Quote:
The toll on the Severn is for the upkeep of the bridge. Tolls are a charge for the use of the road.

London congestion charge is used for the Up keep of the Roads as well.

Tolls are often introduced and always reduce the traffic on those roads if there is an alternate route. I don't see how putting a toll on a road makes it a tax because on of the benefits is reducing the traffic on the roads.

Also taxes are not about reducing something’s usage. The tax on cigarettes, for instance, was never about stopping people from smoking. Cigarettes were being taxed back when people thought it was a good idea to smoke.

It's not just me who thinks that the Congestion Charge is a toll:

Quote:
New York Times says US embassy should pay the congestion charge

The editorial adds: 'The British make a good case that the charge is not a tax, but a toll for the use of selected streets.

Mr. Livingstone is certainly within his rights to demand payment, which may now amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars, including fines.'

http://www.london.gov.uk/londoner/06may/p5c.jsp?nav=news

It's a toll, used to pay for upkeep of the roads.

Much like the Tolls in Norway, for instance, which the US Embassies do pay.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
And as you know, these are open forums, you're able to come and listen to what I have to say.

CITIZEN

Thursday, May 4, 2006 1:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mamasaid:
What is a congestion charge? I'm from the US...some sort of parking ticket?

Were I unwed I would take you in a many fashion.

It's a charge enacted when you drive down certain roads in London.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
And as you know, these are open forums, you're able to come and listen to what I have to say.

FUTUREMRSFILLION

Thursday, May 4, 2006 2:00 PM

From the BBC

What?
The scheme is to encourage people to think again about using their vehicles in central London and to choose other forms of transport.
Motorists who still wish to travel in or through central London will have to pay a daily charge once the scheme has been introduced.
It is not a ‘cordon’ scheme based solely on cameras at boundary points. Any vehicle moving within the zone, whether or not crossing boundary, will be monitored by cameras throughout the zone.
Why?
At the moment, traffic movement in central and inner London is severely hampered by congestion - the average speed has now fallen below three miles per hour.
Transport for London says the charge will reduce congestion, improve the bus network, and make central London a more pleasant location for residents, visitors and businesses.

Its a tax.

MAMASAID

Thursday, May 4, 2006 2:04 PM

mighty fine idea and they should use it here, gorramit

FUTUREMRSFILLION

Thursday, May 4, 2006 2:05 PM

Mamasaid

It was quite difficult to find parking in central London, also traffic was extremely bad, it was very difficult to get anywhere in London during the rush hour and even in mid-day. So Mayor Livingston (the Mayor of London) decided that something needed to be done to discourage people from driving into London - who designated a ring around the inner portion of the city and required everyone (except for Taxi drivers, residents and some few others) pay a ridiculous fee to enter. There has since been great debate, even by UK citizens about this charge. And now, we play semantics.

:) It is about $12.00 a day depending on the exchange rate.

CITIZEN

Thursday, May 4, 2006 2:06 PM

Where does it say in that, that the congestion charge is a tax? Also could you cite a link please.

Anyway:
It's a charge enacted on selected streets with a high-throughput.

It's a Toll.

Edit:

Quote:
There has since been great debate, even by UK citizens about this charge.

Debate much like that going on with the toll of the M6. Yes when the American Government has to pay it's dues for once we end up playing semantics.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
And as you know, these are open forums, you're able to come and listen to what I have to say.

FUTUREMRSFILLION

Thursday, May 4, 2006 2:10 PM

It was a great idea and it worked.

Problem is, it is a tax, and Diplomats are not required to pay taxes.

The Transport for London uses the money, not for the roads, but for improving the buses, trains, and tracks, therefor it is an indirect way of raising money for those things.

But, you are right, it is a great idea and I can think of half a dozen cities that need it without even trying.

ARABIKUM

Thursday, May 4, 2006 2:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mamasaid:
What is a congestion charge? I'm from the US...some sort of parking ticket?

Yeah. And who´s the Troll on the Severn Bridge…?!

(I´m from recently stabilized Germany,that´s why I haven´t got a clue…)

P.S.: Dear FMF, you have my sympathy for holding on that long. I award you a “Silver Star” or a “Purple Heart” or both, if you like.

A.

One day.
One mission.
One army of Browncoats.

On June 23rd, we aim to misbehave!
http://www.fireflyday.com/

CITIZEN

Thursday, May 4, 2006 2:15 PM

I wasn't the one who made an issue of it.

Sorry I don't agree with you all, nor stoop to personal insults the moment I don't get my own way.

Quote:
Yeah. And who´s the Troll on the Severn Bridge…?!

You by the sounds of it.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
And as you know, these are open forums, you're able to come and listen to what I have to say.

FUTUREMRSFILLION

Thursday, May 4, 2006 2:17 PM

The Transport for London uses the money, not for the roads in London, but for improving the buses, trains, and tracks, therefor it is an indirect way of raising money for those things.

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