What next for tolling?

摘要

If you're involved with telematics technology the most important thing to remember is that however clever your project may be it's not going to work unless you can find a buyer. Twenty years ago when I was a transport minister in John Major's government we were trialling tolling technology. But as the 1997 election loomed I was left under no illusions. We're not going to be tolling and that's it. No ifs, as the present Prime Minister is apt to remark, no buts. And that is how it has stayed ever since. Successive governments of all complexions have put tolling in the too difficult box and refused to lift the lid. After all, if your objective is to persuade people to use smaller cars driven less often isn't fuel duty doing the job perfectly well? And isn't it also the easiest money the government ever collects? In truth that was a powerful argument but times are changing fast and for two reasons I believe the time has come when tolling technology is going to come into its own.