Congestion Charging: Can it Work in Sao Paulo?

Posted: 01 Jan 2005

Related to: São Paulo Congestion Pricing, Managing Traffic Demand, Brazil
Contributed by: Walter Hook and Eric Ferreira, ITDP

While cities all over Europe are discussing the positive impact made by congestion pricing in London, Sao Paulo may be the first major city in an emerging economy to replicate this success.

In 2002, London finally proved that congestion charging could be implemented in a Democracy. Mayor Livingstone was re-elected this year, proving that elected leaders with the courage to tackle the automobile are being rewarded politically. London’s congestion charging scheme, where motorists pay £5 to enter the city center from 7am to 6:30pm, has cut traffic in central London by 15%, cut delays by 25%, increased traffic speeds by 10-15 kph, increased bus speeds by 20% and increased annual bus passenger ridership by 7%. While cities all over Europe are discussing it, Sao Paulo may be the first major city in an emerging economy to replicate this success.  Read the full story in Sustainable Transport #16.Congestion charging cut traffic 15% in Central London.