Iran’s capital Tehran, with a population 8 million, is a standout in the region for its aggressive expansion to curb congestion and promote the use of mass transit. The city has developed a comprehensive public transport policy, which is embedded into the city’s vision of improving quality of life by having integrated, available, safe, easy, comfortable and clean transportation system, delivered within limited resources.

Tehran is also one of the few cities in the world to implement a congestion charge. Their congestion charging system builds on what had been a “restricted zone” in central Tehran. In July 2010, Tehran instituted a congestion charging system, using camera-based license plate recognition technology to monitor and enforce. Drivers are required to buy a pass (available annually, weekly or daily) in order to enter the charging zone. Exemptions are made for emergency vehicles, diplomatic vehicles, public vehicles including buses and taxis.

By 2009, Tehran had 159 kilometers of urban railway. By 2010, an additional 77 kilometers were added, increasing annual passenger trips by 17 million for a total of 459 million trips per year made on the rail system.

In addition to its urban rail system, Tehran began implementing Bus Rapid Transit in 2007. The city expanded the BRT network by 17.5 kilometers in 2009 and 21.5 km in 2010, for a total length of 91 kilometers in 2011. As of 2011 the system carried 1.4 million passengers a day. In 2010, the city debuted an integrated electronic fare system for the metro and public bus services, which is being expanded now to private buses.

On the two most recent BRT lines to open, the number of people using public transport increased by 31% and 35% respectively and passengers received a 24% and 42% time savings respectively on their trips than from what they were using before.

Watch the Mayor of Tehran's acceptance speech for the 2011 Sustainable Transport Award Honorable Mention.