Sydney Considering Road Congestion Pricing

"A city-wide tolling system that charges motorists for using main roads at the busiest times of day has been proposed as a radical solution to Sydney's traffic nightmare. Although politicians and motorists reject a London-style congestion tax, experts yesterday said variable tolling on arterial roads could be the only way to fix the city's gridlock.

The satellite technology that would enable it is around the corner, while peak-period tolling is already operating in several overseas cities to discourage drivers.

Peter Stopher, a professor of transport planning at the University of Sydney, said a city-wide charge would be more effective than a CBD congestion tax. 'What we would do is charge people according to how much they're driving, where and when,' said Professor Stopher, of the Institute of Transport Studies."