Naturally this isn’t in any way, shape or form a strategic plan for the future any more than pandering to motorists ever has been, you fiddle with some traffic lights (assuming they don’t break all the time like the ones on the A4 near me), make it easier to drive, disincentivise people to use the bus/tube and amazingly you find there are more people driving the place is congested again. It’s like Groundhog Day. Welcome to 1978.
As someone pointed out in the Comments after the Evening Standard report:
The fare rises will raise £125 million. Abolishing the Western congestion charge will cost £75 million per year, and getting rid of the £25 congestion charge for 4x4s loses another £50 million - total £125 million.
The Evening Standard report is here
Helen on the Bus comments:
Contrary to Kulveer Ranger's insistence that there is no transport hierarchy, it's absolutely clear that the present administration at City Hall consider bus passengers to be the lowest scum imaginable.
Crikey! Even lower than pedestrians or cyclists. Can this be possible?