Congestion Pricing

Many big cities around the world are facing one of the most significant challenge-congestion
traffic.The resulting congestion contributes not only to air pollution as a major problem for the
environment but also inefficient use of fuel, and slower commutes which makes urban life frustrating.

In order to tackle the issue of congestion traffic big cities around the world are weighing radical ideas
to curtail driving,ease gridlock and reduce polution.One of the solution is congestion pricing. William
Vickrey is considered the father of Congestion pricing.He proposed this in 1952 for NYC subway.The
main idea was to free space,so space was priced.

New York is the first city in US poised to implement Congestion Pricing,which would charge drivers a
fee to enter the busiest parts of Manhattan.That would discourage people to drive especially when
they have other option like cycling,rading a bike etc.As a matter of fact,the fees would be used to
bloster public transporation which is more efficient but also better for the enivornment.

London has already adopted this strategy to tackle this crucial issue.At first,people had gut feelings
and didn’t support this idea but after implementing they could clearly see the result and that
was:reduced vehicle traffic and buss wait,increased cycling and improved underground services.

I strongly believe that this kind of dynamic pricing strategy should be implemented in the major cities
in France like Paris and Marseille.It would only have beneficial effects since they are faced with
increased levels of congestion,delays on daily base life,total travel time and accidents.

In a nutshell,Congestion Pricing may be the most useful remedy to address this problem.Taking in
consideration the experience from cities which already adopted this strategy,many cities should
consider it as a “worth trying” solution.