EIR - Pay per Mile Scheme [Jul 2023]

Your request

I’d like to request any recorded information you hold on the pay per mile scheme

Our response

There is no "pay per mile scheme". A recent press release relating to this has been issued:

A spokesperson for the Mayor said: “Although TfL has outlined how it could be possible to replace existing charges with a single, simple and fair road user charging scheme in the future, the technology required for this is still some years away, and the Mayor has been clear that there are no proposals on the table for such a scheme.

“The Mayor's focus is on delivering the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone London-wide from this August so that five million Londoners can breathe cleaner air."

Your complaint

Please reference the attached document issued by TFL: Next Steps for Reducing Emissions from Road Transport (tfl.gov.uk)

Section 5 Potential approaches to address these challenges. The table on page 32 states 'Approach 4 Next generation charging - A new charging mechanism based on distance (km or miles)

So again, under the Freedom of Information act I'd like to request any documentation you are withholding on this matter. I'm not exactly sure why you feel the need to falsify a statement "the technology required for this is still some years away" given that TFL are already charging Greater London and soon all the outer boroughs with said technology. 

Our response

The GLA as the public authority receiving your request has reviewed what you have requested and for the purpose of this Internal Review, we have re-examined the scope of your request to establish whether any information is ‘held’.

I can confirm that we do not hold any information (schematics, plans, etc) relating to any proposals for such a scheme. The Mayor himself has also confirmed there are no proposals in the press statement we referred you to.

You have indicated that the GLA is providing false statements because of the capabilities of the current technologies in operation (which you have assumed would facilitate a ‘pay for mile’ infrastructure). To confirm, there is of course already road user charging technology in operation (C-charge, ULEZ, LEZ) in London, but it is not a pay-per-mile scheme, nor as we understand, could the current systems be used for such a scheme.

This page explains the technologies used for all road user charging schemes, included the planned expansion of ULEZ London-wide from 29 August 2023: Road User Charging - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk)

Your further request

Can you please explain this? (Link to news article which is no longer available)

Our response 

Please see attached letter