Rewards for Non Drivers

Meeting: 
MQT on 2005-04-16
Session date: 
April 16, 2005
Reference: 
2005/0802
Question By: 
Valerie Shawcross
Organisation: 
Labour Group
Asked Of: 
The Mayor

Question

My Constituent Gary Brown has written to me suggesting that non drivers should be given a discount off their Council Tax/Precept. If this option was to be made legal, do you think it could provide a good incentive to support the use of cycles, walking and other socially and environmentally responsible forms of transport?

Answer

Answer for Rewards for Non Drivers

Answer for Rewards for Non Drivers

Answered By: 
The Mayor

This is an interesting idea, however, I would not want to discriminate against car owners who decide not to use their vehicle in favour of using public transport, walking or cycling. I believe a more effective solution is ensuring that businesses (and other trip generating activities) provide positive encouragements for employees and visitors to use sustainable forms of travel. For example the London Borough of Lewisham has successfully introduced payment for staff parking as part of their travel plan. Furthermore, it is worth remembering that the cost of running a car is already a very significant dis-incentive, which I doubt is fully appreciated by many motorists. A recent survey by Emmerson Hill Associates for the RAC put the running costs for a typical 1200cc car over three years (averaging 12,000 miles a year) at in excess of £12,000. It should also be noted that of TfL's total budget expenditure of £5bn in 2005/6 only £20m will be funded from the precept.