Stockholm introduces road congestion charge

Stockholm is set to introduce a road congestion charge on a 13-month trial basis in June next year, officials said today.

The trial will end in July 2006, just six weeks before a referendum on whether to make the road tax permanent.

The referendum will be held in connection with the September 2006 legislative elections.

During the trial period, similar to London's congestion charge system, vehicles entering the inner city will have to pay a charge.

However unlike London's £5 (€7.46) flat rate the charge will vary between 10kr (€1), 15kr (€1.64) or 20kr (€2.18), with the amount of the toll depending on the time of day.

The aim is to reduce traffic by 10% to 15% on the most overloaded roads.

Buses, taxis, emergency vehicles, electric and hybrid cars will be among those exempted from the charge.