On 28th March, the University Transportation Research Center (UTRC) hosted a timely and engaging webinar titled Congestion Pricing in London: Lessons Learned from Across the Pond and Beyond. The event explored two decades of London’s experience with congestion pricing and its relevance to current debates in New York City and other global metros.
The session was opened by Dr Camille Kamga, UTRC Director, who highlighted UTRC’s commitment to fostering critical transportation dialogue. The webinar was moderated by Matt Daus, Transportation Technology Chair of the UTRC, who brought an international and legal perspective to the conversation.
Matt was joined by Steve Wright MBE, Chair of the Licensed Private Hire Car Association (LPHCA), and Darius Spiteri, Operations and Development Manager at Transport for London (TfL). Steve has been a key figure in the UK’s taxi and private hire industry for decades, helping to achieve full regulation of London’s Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) sector in 1998. Darius has spent over 18 years with Transport for London’s Road User Charging team, focusing on delivering policies to improve air quality, safety, and transport outcomes.
Darius began with an overview of how London's congestion charge was developed and implemented and has evolved since its 2003 launch. Drawing on his 18 years at TfL, he described how the program has been shaped by both political leadership and operational challenges. Initially controversial, the charge has gradually become embedded in the city’s broader transportation strategy. Darius noted how technological upgrades – from pay-in-person systems to automated payments – helped improve compliance and reduce enforcement burdens. He also discussed the interplay between congestion charging and environmental goals, highlighting the integration of complementary programs like the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and Direct Vision Standards for heavy vehicles. While London’s charge initially reduced car volumes, he acknowledged that traffic levels rebounded over time, making it clear that pricing alone is not a silver bullet – supportive policies such as bus lane expansions and cycling infrastructure were necessary to shift travel behaviour
Steve offered a critical but constructive view from the perspective of private hire operators and drivers. While supportive of congestion management in principle, he argued that the scheme has become more of a blunt tax than a well-calibrated policy tool. Steve pointed to uneven exemptions – such as black cabs being exempt while private hire vehicles are not – as a source of frustration and perceived unfairness. He also questioned the long-term effectiveness of the program, noting that London remains one of the most congested cities in Europe. In his view, a narrow focus on charging has overlooked broader solutions like freight delivery scheduling, better road space management, and financial support for drivers transitioning to cleaner vehicles. Steve also highlighted the challenges of electrification in London, from limited charging infrastructure to the unintended effects of emissions regulations on wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
The speakers reflected on how congestion pricing fits into a city’s wider transportation and equity agenda. Darius explained that, while the congestion charge itself does not include income-based exemptions, TfL has developed scrappage schemes and other programs to help lower-income residents upgrade to compliant vehicles under ULEZ. Both speakers acknowledged the tension between long-term environmental and safety goals and the need to ensure fairness for users who rely on cars due to age, disability, or geography. Questions from the audience also surfaced concerns about enforcement, delivery costs, and unintended loopholes – such as fraudulent license plates used to evade detection.
The discussion concluded with reflections on how New York City might learn from London’s journey. Darius encouraged a thoughtful, incremental approach that adapts over time and aligns with broader policy objectives. Steve urged planners to consider a name change – from “congestion charge” to “congestion management” – to focus public attention on traffic improvement rather than revenue generation. Both agreed that public perception, political leadership, and clarity of purpose are as critical as any technical or legal component of the program.
Clockwise From Top Left:
Steve Wright, MBE, Chair of the Licensed Private Hire Car Association (LPHCA), Darius Spiteri, Operations and Development Manager at Transport for London (TfL),and Matt Daus, President of the International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR)
Click HERE to see Steve Wright's view on YouTube
Click HERE to watch the full Webinar on YouTube