Budapest Bracing for Lorry-Induced Smog and Congestion Flood
The Budapest Government Office is calling for the abolition of the freight traffic fee, citing that its introduction did not comply with regulations. The Deputy Mayor of Budapest, Ambrus Kiss, has expressed disagreement with this request, stating that the fee serves to discourage non-targeted traffic from passing through the city and therefore reduces congestion and pollution.
The regulation in question was implemented in 2011, with the office acknowledging no issues with it for over a decade. However, the Municipality of Budapest asserts that the city government had the authority to make this decision and is in contention with the Government Office’s position. The matter is expected to be discussed at the first meeting of the Budapest City Council in 2024.
In response to the call for abolition, Mayor Gergely Karácsony took to Facebook to express his opposition. He emphasized that the toll has effectively kept lorry traffic away from inner city roads for 13 years, and its removal would result in a return to previous problems of congestion and queuing. He also announced plans to submit a proposal to the assembly to bring the matter to court for further deliberation.
