ABD - Stockholm Congestion Charge

The Association of British Drivers
Stockholm Congestion Charge

Tax payment point at Norrtull — and what a mess it looks.
Photo: Mikael Ullén / Vägverket.
More photos (Swedish≡Sveriges)

On 3rd January 2006, Stockholm became the second European city after London to introduce a congestion charge. As firm opponents of London's Congestion Charge, the ABD is taking a keen interest in what happens in Stockholm.

The charge appears to be no more than a pityful attempt by the minority Social Democrat Party to ensure the continuing support of the tiny Green Party. Previous promises by the Social Democrats not to introduce such a charge have been broken.

Day one saw a transponder stolen from a car, the attempted sabotage of a payment station, and a banner protesting against Stockholm mayor Annika Billström. Over a thosand cars were not charged because the system couldn't cope with the volume of traffic.

Differences between Stockholm and London
The Swedes have adopted a number of policies which are far less bloody-minded than those of London Mayor Ken Livingstone.

The charge varies depending on what time you enter or leave the zone; the maximum daily charge is slightly less then London. (60 Kr ≡ £4.42)
You have 5 days to pay.
Transponders can be fitted which automatically debit your bank account.
Fine for non payment is 630 Kr ≡ £46.46
Checking is made considerably easier by the fact that the city is built on islands. There are only 18 entry/exit points.
Foreign registered cars are exempt (A simple solution to a problem Ken can't cope with)
Diplomatic cars are exempt (Ken is still arguing with the US Embassy in London)
Through traffic on the E4 motorway is exempt.
The trial period will end on 31 July 2006
A referendum will be held on 17 September 2006.

Referendum
Results of the referendum were delayed, as Swedes digested the recent general election results in which the ruling party was thrown out. Stockholm's mayor Annika Billström was also rejected by voters.
Whilst Stockholm residents were said to be split on the charge, the incoming government said it planned to be fairer and count the votes of people who live outside Stockholm and commute in. Unsurprisingly they are far more opposed to the charge.
Such a democratic process cannot be expected to occur in London whilst Ken Livingstone remains in charge.

Initial results show that whilst Stockholm's residents (most of whom don't have to pay the charge on regular basis) voted 52% Yes, 14 surrounding areas (who do) voted No. However, it now seems that 11 other areas near Stockholm didn't have a vote at all. So nobody's quite sure what the result actually is, of even if there is one.
Ken would be proud of such apparent bureaucratic mis-management.

Radio Sweden — Uncertain Road Toll Referendum

Who's Involved

Useful Links

Stockholmsförsöket Official Site (English version)
- Map of charging zone (Swedish≡Sveriges — but a map's a map)
Stoppabiltullarna (Swedish≡Sveriges)
Campaigning against the tolls.
Stockholm Traffic Webcams (Swedish≡Sveriges)
Wikipedia — Stockholm Congestion Tax

Media Links

The Local — Stockholm congestion charge 'is working' 2006-06-21

The Local — Support rises for congestion charge 2006-03-10
Rises by 3% — with a margin of error of 3.5%. Yeah right.

"A few license plates will always be difficult to identify for various reasons. They might be dirty or incorrectly placed on the vehicle, or they may be foreign plates that look similar to Swedish plates"

Louise Jarn Melander, Vägverket

The Local — Quiet start" for Stockholm congestion charge 2006-01-07
The Local — Owners "must pay tolls for stolen cars" 2006-01-05
Administrative stupidity and incompetence isn't restricted to Britain
Radio Sweden — Stockholm Congestion Charge Underway 2006-01-03
Reuters — Stockholm residents choke on new congestion charge 2006-01-03
The Local — More opposed to Stockholm congestion charge 2005-12-30
The Local — Stockholm's congestion charge trials: a guide 2005-12-27