Press Releases

23 June 2008

Motorbikes and Blue Badge Holders are set to go free and a low income worker discount proposed for congestion charge

Motorcyclists and blue badge holders look set to get a 100% discount on Greater Manchester's proposed congestion charge.

The congestion charge supports a potential £3 billion investment in public transport in Greater Manchester.

Proposals to support low income workers with a potential discount of up to a fifth off the congestion charge will also be put forward to public consultation. The public will also be asked about a similar low-income discount for public transport.

These proposals are being presented to the Association of Greater Manchester Authority (AGMA) leaders along with a number of other issues later this week.

Lord Peter Smith, Leader of AGMA, said: "These proposals are the result of detailed research and common sense thinking.  We'll be very interested to hear what the public think during consultation."

Sir Richard Leese, Deputy Leader of AGMA, said: "We want as many people as possible to benefit from the £3 billion investment in better buses, trains and trams.

“But we also recognise that for many people with a disability the car can be the only route to a job. We want to make sure that we do all that we can to give everyone the greatest possible support to get into work.

"A wider use of motorbikes and scooters has the potential to reduce congestion, so we're proposing that riders will also receive a 100% discount".

Other proposals include a 100% discount for people attending all-day hospital appointments, Hackney cabs and private hire cars.

Discussions with the business community have led to proposals that HGVs and other commercial vehicles pay the same standard rate as cars.

Commercial vehicles that repeatedly cross the two charging rings on 'multi-drop' deliveries will pay no more than £10 a day (at 2007 prices) - regardless of the number of times the rings are crossed.

Fewer than 20% of peak time drivers in Greater Manchester are expected to pay any congestion charge at all and only a small proportion would pay the full £5 charge. An average daily cost for those who do incur a charge will be less than £3 at current prices.

Further information on the GM Future Transport proposals can be found on www.gmfuturetransport.com.

-ends-

Notes to Editors

 
The recent Department for Transport announcement confirms up to £3 billion of funding will be available for transport improvements in Greater Manchester. This comprises Government grants of £1.5 billion, £1.2 billion of local funding supported by future revenue from a limited peak time only congestion charge and £0.1 billion of third party contributions. The DFT has also confirmed that it will fund extra railway rolling stock for the city-region.
 

The Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) is a central Government fund that supports "innovative solutions to congestion problems, involving demand management measures". Local Authorities across England bid for this fund.

For further information about this release please contact:

Dan McMullan
T:  0161 817 4200
M: 07799 667 416
E:  dan.mcmullan@connectpoint.co.uk

Sara Tomkins
T:  0161 817 4200
M: 07950 215 779
E:  sara.tomkins@connectpoint.co.uk

Rob Allen
T 0161 817 4200
E rob.allen@connectpoint.co.uk