Stockholm Becomes Second European City To Implement Congestion Charging

Most Swedes take pride in their country's environmentalist credentials, but public opinion is not necessarily supportive of efforts to impose a tax on traffic. Despite polls suggesting significant opposition to the new tolls, the city of Stockholm is pushing ahead with a test run of what will become the world's most extensive system of traffic congestion charges. The trial program began january 1st and will last until July 2006. The Swedish charge aims to cut traffic on the most heavily congested roads by 10-15 percent and is also intended to "bring about an overall improvement in the urban environment in Stockholm, particularly air quality." Stockholmers will vote in September 2006 on whether to make it permanent. The experience of London indicates that a defeat for the Stockholm scheme may be far from certain. Opposition to the charges was widespread in the British capital before their introduction, but three years later polls show Londoners have warmed to the system. "There was lots of apocalyptic talk before it was introduced about the impact it would have," said Transport for London spokesman Richard Dodd.