The change, which follows a public consultation that took place earlier this year, will see the daily Congestion Charge price rise from £10 to £11.50 (or £10.50 if paid using CC Auto Pay or £14 if paid the next charging day). The change will come into effect on 16th June 2014.
TfL said: ‘The increase will ensure the charge remains a relative deterrent to all but the most essential journeys into the centre of London, contributing an income of £82.7m over the course of the next five years, which will be re-invested into London’s transport network – including modernising London’s roads infrastructure.’
Meanwhile a raft of changes to the Congestion Charge are being introduced in late 2015 intended to provide benefits to customers. These include:
- CC Auto Pay users will be able to pay by Direct Debit (currently only credit or debit cards can be used);
- Customers eligible for discounts, including blue badge holders, will be able to apply for these discounts online from 2015 when Capita takes over Congestion Charge services;
- Certain journeys undertaken by NHS patients and staff within the Congestion Charge zone are entitled to reimbursement. Currently if they paid by CC Auto Pay they are not able to be reimbursed. A further change to the Congestion Charge scheme will allow everyone eligible under the NHS Reimbursement Scheme to be reimbursed whether they pay by CC Auto Pay or other methods;
- Allowing customers who have paid the Congestion Charge in advance, but can no longer travel on the date in question, to amend the date for an administration fee of £2.50.
Garrett Emmerson, TfL’s chief operating officer for surface transport, said: ‘These changes will ensure the Congestion Charge remains effective in managing congestion in central London.
‘We have listened to our customers and are making a number of changes to make paying the Congestion Charge and applying for discounts easier and simpler.'
