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According to the CPB, mobility will increase due to a further increase in the population and an expected moderate economic growth. The already planned expansion of the main road network is sufficient to keep the congestion approximately at the level of 2018. Aviation is also experiencing substantial growth in the number of passengers and the number of flights expected for 2030, clearly higher than, for example, the expected increase in car use.

The Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB) and the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) presented a new study on mobility policy that appeared on Tuesday. The aim of this study is to provide insight into the possible effects of a number of policy measures for passenger mobility, freight transport and aviation. The analyzes are therefore mainly focused on the long term and remain relevant, despite large uncertainties in the short term as a result of the corona crisis.

rush hour tax more effective

According to the Central Planning Bureau, the rush hour on the road can be further counteracted with price policy, whereby a rush hour charge works more effectively than a flat kilometer charge and is much cheaper to implement. Pricing can be a more efficient way of allocating scarce capacity than waiting time (standing in a traffic jam). Instead of lost waiting time in traffic jams, the levy now collects money, which can be used again. 

The better the levy is differentiated according to time and location, the better it can respond to the congestion and the higher the potential social benefits of the levy. If the rates vary greatly according to location and time, it will become more difficult for road users to understand and this can lead to social resistance. With the rush hour charge, for many commuters, travel time has become shorter, but travel costs have increased. This can hinder the labor market. This applies to a much greater extent to a flat charge. 

A flat charge applies anytime, anywhere, so driving in many situations has become more expensive, but hardly faster. A flat charge is therefore not primarily a congestion measure, but an instrument to discourage car use in a general sense. Flat kilometer charges on the entire road network are also much more expensive to implement than rush hour charges, and with a rush hour charge it is more practicable to allow foreigners to participate in the charge.

Also read: The next phase of mobility is led by baby boomers

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