Bojo Kills C-Charge Hike, Pays Porsche Lawyer Bill

By Edward Niedermeyer
July 8, 2008

London's new Mayor Boris Johnson has scrapped his predecessors plans to hike congestion charges to nearly $50 per day, reports the Times. Not only has BoJo repealed Ken Livingstone's proposed fee bump, but he's even paid Porsche's six-figure legal bill after the German automaker lead the charge against the increase. "I am delighted that we have been able to scrap the £25 charge, which would have hit families and small businesses hardest," said Johnson. "I believe the proposal would actually have made congestion worse by allowing thousands of small cars in for free." And what makes "Red" Ken Livingstone most angry about the reversal of his controversial legacy? Environmental damage? Long commute times? No, it's the lost revenue for the city government. "The claim that £10m has been 'saved' by scrapping the CO2 charge is entirely false - in reality London will lose £30 million - £60million expected annual revenue from the scheme," said Livingstone. With that admission, any pretext that the beefed-up congestion charge is actually an environmental or traffic-calming measure is well and truly put to bed. Along with Mr Livingstone's political career. And good riddance too.

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9 Comments on “ Bojo Kills C-Charge Hike, Pays Porsche Lawyer Bill ”

psarhjinian :
July 8th, 2008 at 3:36 pm

Wait, wait, this would have hurt small businesses and families? What families, those two own cars and can afford to live in London’s core? Or those that own Cayennes and 911s?

Look, even though I’m an avowed lefty, I don’t like revenue-generation masquerading as law and order. But let’s be serious, a congestion charge is a good way to keep traffic out of a major urban centre (which is a good thing) and fund public transit.
BostonTeaParty :
July 8th, 2008 at 3:52 pm

yeah but psrhjinian, it didn’t work in london, it hasn’t kept vehicles out or fund the public transport sufficiently as the company that ran it burnt through most of the money generated. It was just another tax as livingstone has just admitted!
Lumbergh21 :
July 8th, 2008 at 3:54 pm

Believe it or not, the tax would have applied to less pricey cars than Porsches, BMW 7 series, etc. It’s just that Porsche was the only one to stand up to them.

I particularly like how Mr. Livingstone referred to it as a “scheme.” :-0
quasimondo :
July 8th, 2008 at 4:26 pm

On a side note, I wonder if Mayor Bloomberg is secretly irked by the fact that high gasoline costs was able to do what his own failed congestion pricing plan couldn’t.
yankinwaoz :
July 8th, 2008 at 4:41 pm

Lumbergh21,

“Scheme” is not Boris, it is used all over the Commonwealth. And unlike in the US, it does not convey any negative connotation. In the UK, it is a benign word, just like the word “program” would be in the US.

So don’t read anything into that word. It’s just not there in this context. It took me a while to stop snickering in Australia whenever I saw government “schemes” being discussed.
psarhjinian :
July 8th, 2008 at 6:16 pm

it didn’t work in london, it hasn’t kept vehicles out or fund the public transport sufficiently as the company that ran it burnt through most of the money generated. It was just another tax as livingstone has just admitted!

Not true. It has reduced congestion, and it is not revenue-negative; it did produce a surplus. If it hadn’t, Livingstone wouldn’t have said that losing it would deny London revenue.

Admittedly from Wikipedia:

Livingstone introduced the London congestion charge with the purpose of reducing traffic congestion in central London. Since being introduced the charge has proved to be controversial, though Transport for London maintains that traffic has fallen by 20% within the charge zone since the scheme began. One reason for the controversy is that whilst the scheme has been lucrative for its private-sector operator, Capita, some critics argue it has failed to raise the promised levels of funding for public transport as costs eat up the revenue.

Capita did make money on it, that’s true, but it isn’t a black hole as some contend It just didn’t make as much money as it might have if it was publicly managed. Of course, it might not have made any money at all, given how badly over-budget some projects go.

Point is, it did work, and it was helping the city’s infrastructure and it affected, for the most part, people who drive through some of the most expensive parts of the city and could pay the tax.

Porsche complained because, well, guess where Porsche’s clients live? Combined with Porsche’s status as purveyor of discretionary toys for the well off, you can see why they might object.
DearS :
July 8th, 2008 at 10:33 pm

Government loves to steal it seems. Paying Porsche’s fee seems that way. While Porsche is seemingly acting greedy again.

People need a guide to overcoming ignorance and fear. Although I guess they may not realize that till the shit really hits the fan. I wonder.

Isn’t obvious that ignorance and fear is at the middle of all that is uncomfortable with the world. Fear Fear fear, Ignorance Ignorance Ignorance. Its a painful cycle. Being indifferent does not work either. Its just empty. Balance is key.

Well I’m happy. I have fears to overcome and opportunities to enjoy myself. Lets no worry about what we do not have today and enjoy our lives. Greed be forgotten.
GS650G :
July 9th, 2008 at 9:13 am

Finally a politician delivers. I can’t wait to see what Boris does next.
BostonTeaParty :
July 9th, 2008 at 12:42 pm

psar, you believe everything on wiki?! do a search on increase in travel times within the zone, pollution levels, the return to pre charge levels of traffic volume and loss of business, smaller business since its implementation.