Fighting Congestion At Home And Abroad

"The Venezuelan capital is indeed expected to become a bit more English, though not by driving on the left. In exchange for Venezuelan oil to fuel London's buses, Caracas is to receive advice from London on how to improve its transport and waste disposal system. The deal is a brainchild of President Hugo Chávez and the London mayor, Ken Livingstone. Announced as a model of solidarity between two socialist allies last year, it is now beginning to take shape."

"London is to receive a discount valued at £15m a year on oil for its buses, to be translated into half-price tickets for 250,000 people on income support. Critics said it was wrong for one of the world's richest cities to receive subsidies from a country where most people live in slums."

"Caracas has major problems. Average rush-hour speeds are less than 10mph, and many vehicles are old and unroadworthy, including many of the buses, which spew black fumes and travel with open bonnets to avoid overheating."

"An oil-driven boom has doubled the cars on the road in recent years, and at just 6p a gallon, motorists have little incentive to conserve petrol. In January Mr Chávez promised to increase the price but has not followed through."