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London Mayor Boris Johnson is considering introducing variable rates for the Congestion Charge zone, depending on what time a driver enters it.

Johnson believes that such a system could be used to ease rush hour traffic, with higher prices during these hours persuading people to travel at other times or by alternative means. A similar system has been successful in Stockholm, Sweden.

The mayor has also instructed Transport for London to set up an accounts billing system to make it e...Read the full article

Okay Boris, I like what you've done so far but this could be a bit of a nightmare for you.

The best systems are simple systems, and the current charging scheme is simple.  You enter the zone, you pay a charge (same charge all day), done.  Everyone knows where they stand, if they like the way it's done or not. 

Implement this idea and it's going to get in to a horrible mess.  The costs involved in running it will outweigh the benefits.

There's very little I agree with the former mayor on, and I know it's not fool proof but leave what we have now.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Admittedly I don't know much about the London scheme, but I thought it was a Congestion Charge. With congestion having peaks, therefore to have maximum effect it needs to cost more to use the road-space at those peak times. Sure it's harder to implement, but having smart prepay/debit tags that can tell you the cost before you enter should work. As well as reducing the theft/fake number plates.