April 2005

Swedish Road Administration

Congestion charging in Stockholm Jenny Källström

The Swedish situation

The Stockholm trial- background and objectives- charging system- the role of the SRA- procurement- tax legislation

April 2005

Swedish Road Administration

What is happening in Sweden right now?

Svinesund BridgeOpens in June 2005

Öresund BridgeIn operation since 2000

Stockholm Congestion TaxTrial starting in January 2006

E6 Motorway standardInvestigation

Kilometre Tax for HGVProposal. All public roads.Starting 2010?

National Arena on HGVTest site from 2006

April 2005

Swedish Road Administration

The Stockholm trial – background

• September 2002 general elections: Green party demanded congestion charges trial in Stockholm in order to support the Socialist (and Left) party → majority.

• June 2003 the Stockholm City Council: adopted a majority proposal to conduct congestion charges trials.

• June 2004 The Congestion charges Act: was passed by the Riksdag (Swedish Parliament)

• Length of trial: from approx. January 3 to July 31 2006

• Referendum: on permanent implementation in conjunction with general elections in September 2006 (Stockholm municipality)

• Name: The Stockholm trial. Environmental fees/congestion charges and expanded public service for less congestion and improved environment.

April 2005

Swedish Road Administration

The Stockholm trial - objectives• Objectives:

– Reduce traffic by 10-15% on the busiest roads in central Stockholm

– Increase average speeds on streets and roads

– Reduce emissions of hazardous pollutants and carbon dioxide

– Inhabitants should feel that the city environment has improved

– More resources to public transport

• Three stages to the trial:– Environmental fees/congestion charges are tested

– Public transport is expanded August 2005 – July 2006 (mainly busses)

– More park & ride services

• Impacts monitoring: “final” report in May/June 2006

April 2005

Swedish Road Administration

The Stockholm trial - charging system

•Single zone boundary encircling the inner city of Stockholm (22 sq.km)

•The Essinge link not included

•Each passage in and out of zone between 6.30 and 18.29 costs €1-2

•Maximum daily charge/vehicle: €6

•Approx. 500 000 passages daily

April 2005

Swedish Road Administration

The Stockholm trial - exemptions• Journeys from Lidingö passing the inner city

zone within 30 minutes• Emergency services• Vehicles registered abroad• Diplomatic cars• Military vehicles • Buses with a total weight of at least 14

tonnes • Eco-cars (using electricity, alcohol or gas

other than LPG) • Taxis• Disability and social services, etc.

transportation service vehicles• Motorcycles • Holders of disabled person’s parking permits

may apply for exemption for one vehicle

April 2005

Swedish Road Administration

The Stockholm trial – payment points

• Unimpeded traffic flow - no barriers or tollbooths

• →Automated identification by cameras and DSRC

– Photographs of licence plates from front and rear

– Transponders

• 19 control points

• Probably no interoperability with other Scandinavian toll/charging systems during the trial

April 2005

Swedish Road Administration

The role of the Swedish Road Administration

• The SRA administers the national vehicle register and the vehicle tax.

• → To procure, build and operate the the system for congestion charge payment.

• The system for congestion charges: from roadside equipment to callcenter and payment processes. Provide information on how to pay the congestion charge.

• The SRA has established a Congestion Tax project reporting to the Director-general.

April 2005

Swedish Road Administration

more about roles…

• The Stockholm municipality/the congestion charge secreteriat: impacts monitoring and information on why congestion charges are tested

• The SRA regional office in Stockholm: traffic analyses, road network accessibility measures for busses and cars, measures to support journeys by bike and public transport etc

• Other road pricing issues like interoperability, km tax etc is managed by the main office (Mr Christer Rydmell) and its supporting divisions.

April 2005

Swedish Road Administration

The procurement

• The Stockholm municipality started the tender process in 2003. • In July 2004 the SRA took over responsibility for the procurement and

decided on the company IBM.• Since then several appeals:

– Combitech appealed → the Administrative Court (1st level) ruled that the procurement had to be done all over again.

– The SRA appealed → but due to legal details in the verdict of the 1st court the Administrative Court of Appeal (2nd level) states that the contract had in fact come into legal force on August 24. (therefore no need for the court to try the case )

– Combitech appealed → the Administrative Supreme Court (3rd level) eliminates the decision of the 2nd court and rules that the case must be tried.

– The 2nd court tries the case and rules in favour of the SRA.– Combitech appeals on yet different grounds → On March 30th the Administrative

Supreme court decides not to take the case any further.

→ The SRA can now continue its work with IBM!• Starting date of charging system delayed due to the lawsuits

April 2005

Swedish Road Administration

Tax legislation

• State tax (Congestion charges Act in June 2004) → • Payment within 5 days (might be extended to 14 days)

– Internet

– Selected shops and petrol stations

– Post/bank

– Automatic money transfer

• Penalty fee: €7(1st reminder), €50 (2nd reminder)• Transponder (DSCR) is not regarded as formal evidence of a

passage! (only as means of payment )• Camera monitoring most important from a tax collecting perspective. • Pictures are saved at least 1 month (time for appeal)

April 2005

Swedish Road Administration

Lessons learned so far…

• A realistic timetable is cruical• Legislation must be in place (esp. taxes)• Clearly defined roles and responsibilities• Political disagreements and lawsuits overshadow the

factual matters: the problems in the transportsystem and how to solve it

• Not easy to develope and introduce such a charging system when the background is a political agreement to form a government