France's congested city streets may get some relief, but at the cost of paying congestion fees designed to discourage drivers from entering the central area of cities.
A proposal by Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne would allow cities to impose such London-style fees on a permanent basis. Up to now, only trial runs have been permitted, and limited to three years. Borne has said that the short run discourages cities from investing in the systems needed to administer schemes.
The bill she's introducing would allow all cities to charge an access fee across all or parts of cities, to be charged as vehicles enter the area. Fees for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles would be capped at €2.50, with cities over 500,000 population allowed to charge €5. That would affect Paris and Marseille; the #3 city, Lyon, is just under the half-million mark. Rates would be higher for larger vehicles.
Officially, the aim of Borne's bill is "limiting car traffic and fighting against pollution and environmental nuisances."
Photo: massive traffic jam in Marseille last January.
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