Why London-style congestion fees won't work in downtown Vancouver
(Commentary by Derek Moscato, The Province)

Motorists in the Lower Mainland have endured a deluge of roadway headaches this summer, from traffic jams on freeways and bridges to construction-related delays across the region.
But they haven't had to face what motorists in New York City might eventually be contending with: Paying tolls to enter the city core.

Though it's far from a done deal, the U.S. government last week pledged $354 million US for a plan to ding drivers of cars and trucks between $8 and $21 to enter Manhattan during peak hours.

Backed by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, this is a bold attempt to deal with worsening gridlock in North America's largest metropolis.

Across the Atlantic, congestion charges have already been introduced in London and Stockholm. Both cities have enjoyed success in easing traffic and reducing greenhouse gases, thanks to the fee. Other major North American cities are now flirting with this idea, including Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

Should Vancouver toll drivers who enter the downtown core or a wider swathe of the city centre? Some would say yes.

But while the inner cities of London and New York may be well-suited for congestion tolling, I believe Vancouver's downtown is not.

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