Call to adopt Dutch-style road pricing scheme
The charges, which would replace vehicle taxes over the next five to seven years, would vary according to vehicle emissions, geographic location and time of travel.
Comhar, which proposed the national road pricing scheme, believe it is the best way to tackle environmental damage and combat traffic congestion.
It pointed out that revenue collected through such a scheme should be ring-fenced for investment in public transport infrastructure.
The council’s director of research, Dr Lisa Ryan, said the scheme would encourage consumers to buy more fuel-efficient, clean vehicles and to drive less.
“It would also ensure that when people do take to the road, they can move smoothly, safely and efficiently,” she said.
She also pointed out that a motorist travelling in a non-congested area would pay a rate per kilometre that was substantially lower than someone travelling in a gridlocked area.
A national rural transport strategy was also needed, with 75% of all kilometres driven in rural areas.
“We need to start providing a public transport service in a much better way, so people can get to work without using their cars,” she said.
Dr Ryan said the Netherlands recently approved the phased introduction of a national road pricing scheme, with popular support. It is run using a GPRS-type navigation system.
She accepted that a lengthy preparatory period would be needed before a similar scheme could be introduced.
Time would be needed to study the most suitable scheme, raise public awareness and encourage stakeholders to invest in it.
Dr Ryan wants the Department of Transport to begin a feasibility study immediately to investigate how road pricing could work in Ireland.
She said the full roll-out of the scheme could be timed to coincide with the near-completion of Transport 21 measures in 2013 and 2014, so that people had alternative transport options.
Other changes recommended by the council include:
Investment and prioritisation of walking, cycling and public transport, especially in city centres.
Immediate implementation of integrated ticketing for public transport in the greater Dublin area.
Establishment of independent transport authorities in major urban areas, capable of providing creative urban transport strategies and the power to implement them.
Making “eco-driving” training obligatory for private and commercial drivers at the time of first licensing.
Dr Ryan pointed out that Ireland’s transport sector had grown faster than the economy and this had led to serious problems.
“Rising congestion on roads makes journey times longer, wastes time, generates stress, diminishes family and community life, fosters obesity and adds to pollution and costs at many levels,” she said.
The key to making transport sustainable was the provision of incentives to all motorists to reduce their use of fuel and scarce road space at peak travel times; to improve the availability of alternative forms of transport and make them more attractive.
“Transport and fiscal measures are urgently needed to change the behaviour patterns of Irish drivers and also to provide a source of revenue for investment in sustainable transport services and infrastructure,” she said.
Comhar was established in 1999 as the forum for national consultation on all issues relating to sustainable development. Its 25 members include representatives of the employer body, IBEC, farmers’ organisations and the Congress of Trade Unions.
