Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) has revealed plans to introduce a road user charge to fund a host of transport improvements across the area.
Under the proposals, those who drive in a Sustainable Travel Zone (STZ) in Cambridge would pay a flat daily charge, unless exempt or eligible for a discount or rebate, between 7am and 7pm on weekdays.
GCP said the road user charge proposals reflect feedback to its public consultations and would help to reduce the number of car trips in Cambridge by 50%, as well as to cut carbon emissions from transport by about 5%.
The STZ would form part of a wider City Access package that aims to increase bus usage and encourage greater active travel opportunities across GCP’s integrated transport network.
Key features of the proposed City Access package include new bus routes, supported by demand-responsive transport; longer operating hours; flat fares; and options for new cross-city cycling routes.
According to GCP, the package would result in 20,000 extra journeys made by bus and a further 60,000 additional trips by active travel every day.
Peter Blake, transport director of the Greater Cambridge Partnership, said: “This is a once in a generation opportunity to create a world-class transport network for Greater Cambridge and the wider area to drive a real step change in the way we travel.
“With the City Deal in place to forward-fund and accelerate the delivery of this transformative bus network –one of the largest ever investments in a UK bus network, alongside upgrades to active travel – we can build confidence in the service and encourage people to make the switch to public transport sooner.”
The proposals are to be put to a final statutory public consultation before any decisions are made, which would be held in the autumn if approved by the Executive Board on 28 September.
