Long-suffering car commuters in Stockholm finally got their wish this week: value for money in the use of their roads. Users of rapid transit services got their wish, too: transit that is truly rapid and provides better service. Pedestrians are breathing freer. All are saying "skol" to the resumption of tolling on Stockholm roads.  Full story »

Traffic congestion costs Toronto an estimated $1.8-billion a year, and a poll of business leaders this month said fixing it should be the new city council's first priority. Lawrence Solomon argues that toll roads are not part of the solution – they are the entire solution.
 Full story »

Stockholm tries tolls to curb use of cars   by Lawrence Solomon  Full story »

   Full story »

You have a flat tire. Or you need a tow. Or a boost. Or you've run out of gas. If you're like millions of Canadians, you call the Canadian Automobile Association to get you going again.

Except if you're on the 407, the electronic toll road north of Toronto. Highway 407 users don't need these CAA services because the highway operators look after their customers. They'll change your tire for you for free if it's flat, or give you a free gallon of gas if you've run out. Or a free boost if you've stalled, or free windshield wiper fluid if you can't see.  Full story »

One year ago this week, London began to charge private automobiles and commercial vehicles £5 ($12.50) a day if they either entered or left its downtown core between 7 a.m. and 6:30 pm. The reviews of this unprecedented experiment – designed to reduce traffic jams in one of the most heavily congested cities in the world – are now in, and they're rave. The pundits who almost all predicted disaster are red-faced. London has cracked gridlock and unlocked economic efficiencies.  Full story »

In mid-February, London began charging private vehicles £5 to enter its central core. The outrage that the press and other pundits predicted didn't occur: The toll has soothed rather than seethed Londoners. The losers from this radical experiment are almost nowhere in sight. The winners can be found all round.  Full story »

Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman spoke for many when he voiced his fear of tolling city roads, as London, England, so daringly did to eliminate traffic congestion three weeks ago. "Please tell me how much business we're going to lose in the evenings particularly with people not coming to Toronto to restaurants," he asked. "If you pay to come into Toronto, and a toll to get out of here, you might as well go to a restaurant in your own neighbourhood."  Full story »

   Full story »

Every motorist in Britain will be monitored by satellite and charged for using busy routes under plans being presented by the government's transport commissioner this week.

Under the proposals cars would be fitted with a global positioning device and drivers billed for sitting in traffic jams.

In a report to be published tomorrow, the Commission for Integrated Transport, chaired by David Begg, claims that the charges could reduce road congestion by up to 44 percent, saving 219 million human-hours, without increasing the overall tax burden.  Full story »