Press Release

Mayor of New York sees transformation of London's transport network
1-10-2007   588

Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, currently taking forward plans for a congestion charge for the busiest parts of Manhattan, visited London today and praised the effectiveness of the capital's scheme and the dramatic improvements to the bus network under London Mayor Ken Livingstone. 

The two Mayors held a joint press conference at City Hall and outlined some of the key challenges the two cities are tackling on transport and climate change. Mayor Bloomberg, who is proposing a sweeping new transport plan for New York and taking forward plans for a congestion charge in the busiest parts of Manhattan, was shown first-hand the effects that charge has had in central London.

Travelling through the capital by bus he was shown the extent to which London’s congestion charge has reduced cars entering central London.  The number entering the original zone has fallen by 21 per cent compared with 2002, meaning some 70,000 fewer cars enter each day.

London has witnessed a 43 per cent rise in cycling since the introduction of the congestion charge, and an 83 per cent increase overall since 2000, and the charge, along with the expansion of bus lanes, has made the capital’s roads safer, with deaths and serious injuries down by 58 per cent since the mid to late 1990s.  Revenues from the charge, £122 million in 2005/06 alone, have been invested in improving the public transport network, as well as in pedestrian and cycling facilities and road safety. 

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Mayor Bloomberg, following our meetings earlier this year in New York.

"London is the only major city in the world to have achieved a shift from private car use to public transport and other cities around the world are now looking to London as a leader in transport and the fight against climate change.

“Mayor Bloomberg has now seen how London has invested in its transport system and dealt with the problem of traffic in the congested central area, and it’s clear that the congestion charge has been instrumental in the steps we have taken - reducing the numbers of cars entering central London by 70,000 a day, making the buses more reliable, paying for improvements to the bus network, which is now the cleanest, most reliable, and most accessible in the country, and helping to increase cycling.”

Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City, said:

“As two of the World's great financial centers, New York and London share many things, including congested central business districts. Congestion pricing is working here in London and we can make similar improvements to our economy, public health and air quality in New York."

Peter Hendy, London Transport Commissioner said:

“This visit demonstrates that Transport for London is a world leader in transport initiatives.  We welcome Mayor Bloomberg and his transport officials to London, we will do all that we can to share our advice and expertise.

“Congestion charging has been a great success in London and we’re sure it will be a great success in New York.”

During the visit, Mayors Livingstone and Bloomberg continued their dialogue on other projects designed to tackle climate change. 

This follows the two having joined with former President Clinton at the C40 Large Cities Climate Summit earlier this year to announce the Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Programme to cut carbon emissions by making existing buildings more energy efficient.

London is the first of the 16 cities signed up to the scheme to begin work, companies have been invited to submit bids to make the Greater London Authority Group's buildings more energy efficient.  The first set of buildings to get their energy efficiency upgrade will include up to 100 buildings from the Greater London Authority Group and will include some landmark office buildings such as Transport for London's head quarters at Windsor House.

Transport for London is currently consulting on proposed changes to the congestion charge that would include drivers of the most polluting cars being charged £25 to drive in the congestion charge zone.  Drivers of the cleanest cars would be given a 100 per cent discount, a policy that has widespread support among Londoners.

ENDS.

Notes to Editors

All buses on the network conform as a minimum to the Euro II emissions standard (and almost two thirds conform to Euro III standards).  All buses in the fleet are fitted with measures to reduce emissions of PM10 (fine particles), carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.

For further information please contact Matt Brown on 0207 983 4716 or matt.brown@london.gov.uk (details not for publication)

For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000

For non-media enquiries please call the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100

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