Congestion charges let drivers pay for impacts

For many years the Sierra Club has advocated policies that would have drivers pay the true cost of their driving. Today governments at all levels are considering tentative steps in this direction, but they would be only half steps - they are talking about making drivers pay, but about then pouring the money back into projects that would benefit just drivers, rather than into meeting the primary needs of our transportation system.

With federal and state support, San Francisco is considering "congestion" charges for entering the city or downtown. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is considering "hot lanes", where cars with just one or two riders would be allowed to pay to use High Occupancy Vehicle highway lanes when the lanes are not fully utilized. With both these proposals, however, all funds collected would be used to build more highways.

Doyle Drive in San Francisco, from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marina, needs rebuilding and some improvements. The city is proposing to provide an extra traffic lane and use congestion fees to help pay for the expansion. The city is also considering charging congestion fees, similar to those in London, to enter downtown, with the funds to be used to improve traffic movement.

Congestion charges were introduced in central London in 2003 and were recently expanded because they work so well. The charge is now about $15, and this has reduced traffic by 20%, resulting in fewer traffic injuries. Bicycle use has also increased. The charges have helped fund expanded bus service.

The Sierra Club proposes that all funds raised by these local proposals be used to improve transit. As transit works better, more drivers will switch to using transit more frequently, and those who continue to drive will pay a user fee for less congestion, as in London. Drivers will benefit - and so will everyone else.

Howard Strassner, San Francisco Group