The congestion fee will definitely be launched next summer, but it is not known whether one or two zones will be established.

The standard charge could be Ft 400-500, higher than the proposed Ft 320, the price of a metro ticket, Népszabadság and Népszava reported. Tarlós is apparently leaning toward setting a higher fee rather than making those who live within the zone pay, the dailies said.

There are still many uncertainties in the project such as defining zone boundaries, people eligible for benefits, time periods for the charge and the P+R (park and ride) parking lots required.

Costs associated with introducing the congestion fee could reach Ft 15 billion. The city council expects to generate Ft 8 billion in the second half of 2013 and Ft 20 billion in 2014 from the new fee. Motorcycles and scooters could be exempt from payment, wrote Népszabadság.

Source: Hungary Around the Clock

This news item is one of many published daily by HATC, a premier subscription news service which distributes English-language info about Hungary via email or fax. For a free trial of HATC follow this link and click on 'Free Trial Subscription'.