Vantaa fears that congestion tolls could slow down airport traffic

Politicians to consider Vantaa’s official opinion on congestion charges today

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The City of Vantaa is rejecting congestion charges for cars as an unnecessary idea, saying that they could slow down passenger car traffic to the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and render Vantaa residents unequal.
      In its statement, Vantaa recommends that congestion fees should be introduced in all main arteries and cross-town roads leading to Helsinki’s central downtown area.
     
One of Vantaa’s greatest fears is that passenger car traffic towards the airport could slow down. In such cases the ones suffering would be those who seldom drive in the area.
      Vantaa recommends that congestion charges should be collected closer to the centre of the capital city, where there is more congestion and related problems. In Vantaa, traffic jams are a minor irritation, the statement by the City Planning department notes.
      In addition, Vantaa’s City Planning department says that being a widely spread-out community Vantaa (which sprawls over 240 square kilometres) has weaker potential than Helsinki to organise efficient public transport, which is a good reason for not introducing the planned congestion fees.
     
Vantaa demands that revenue from the potential congestion charges should be used to develop the traffic in the Helsinki region.
      Today, the City Planning Committee of Vantaa is to deal with the official statement that it is to submit to the Ministry of Transport and Communications. However, before being forwarded to the ministry, the statement is first to be handled by the Vantaa City Board.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Helsinki and state leaders more amenable to congestion charges (18.9.2009)
  Mayor Pajunen opposes Helsinki congestion charge (19.3.2009)

See also:
  COMMENTARY: Congestion charge? Not on my street! (17.3.2009)

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