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View Full Version : Edinburgh: Motorcycles escape congestion charge plans



Bob
20th October 2004, 00:02
Motorcycles and scooters are to be exempt from the proposed congestion charge in Edinburgh – but busses and taxis will have to pay!

A public inquiry backed the council’s plans for toll exemptions for motorcycles, disabled drivers and emergency vehicles, but suggested taxis and buses should pay the £2 daily fee.

Chairman Pilmar Smith of Lothian busses said: "It is nonsense to suggest that buses should pay the congestion charge. That would simply result in the congestion charge being passed on to passengers by means of higher fares. The objective of the exercise is to improve the attractiveness of public transport compared to private car use and if congestion charging forces up bus fares, it will work directly against those objectives."