TIF
Discount Proposals
A variety of discounts have been proposed to ensure the charging scheme meets its objectives and complies with the AGMA tests.
Low income workers
It is proposed that:
The lowest paid workers who would incur a charge because their workplace is located within the M60 motorway should be eligible for a charging discount of up to 20%.
In developing and presenting the initial bid proposition in July 2007, AGMA agreed in principle the establishment of a suitable charging discount to safeguard against the potential for social exclusion amongst employees on the lowest wages. The detailed design of such a discount scheme will be developed in consultation with employers and employee representatives (such as the low pay unit) over the period running up to the start of the charging scheme operation in 2013.
Medical appointments
It is proposed that:
Patients regularly attending hospitals and specialist health facilities within the M60 for treatment should be entitled to a 100% discount for any cordon crossings that they incur on these days.
There are a number of hospitals and specialist health units located within the M60. For most out-patient appointments the combination of improved public transport connections and the development of the NHS “choose and book” national electronic referral service will provide the opportunity for appointments to be attended without the need to pay a congestion charge.
However, it is recognised that there are a range of specific treatments, which cannot be easily accessed elsewhere and which require regular attendance.
Blue badge holders
It is proposed that:
100% discount should be provided for blue badge holders.
There are approximately 134,000 blue badge holders resident in Greater Manchester. Many of these users experience significant difficulties in using public transport. Therefore the Department for Transport are currently carrying out a review of policy guidance relating to the issuing of Blue Badges. We need to wait for the conclusions of this review before finalising the details of the proposed Greater Manchester discount, including a carers’ access to the discount and how many eligible vehicles will be allowed per blue badge. We will follow the DfT guidance once the review has been completed and the conclusions announced.
Motorcycles
It is proposed that:
100% discount should be provided for motorcycles.
Consideration has been given to the low road space footprint associated with motorcycles and the approaches taken to motorcycles in charging schemes elsewhere.
Licensed hackney carriages and private hire vehicles
It is proposed that:
100% discount should be provided for licensed hackney carriages and private hire vehicles that are registered with a Greater Manchester authority.
Licensed hackney carriages provide a distinct element of the overall non-car public transport system in Greater Manchester, as a mode of transport that can be hailed on the street by the travelling public. This is reflected by Greater Manchester policies that offer access for these vehicles to bus lanes.
While there are legal differences between hackney carriages and private hire vehicles, the consensus is that the latter also perform a valuable public service.
Buses
It is proposed that:
100% discount should be provided for all service buses and registered community transport services, including Ring and Ride services.
The objectives of the TIF package seek to ensure that bus, registered community transport services and Ring and Ride services can be provided in the most cost-effective manner, so as to minimise the impact on future fare levels.
Emergency vehicles
It is proposed that:
100% discount should be granted for all emergency service vehicles, including those operational vehicles as determined by the Chief Constable, Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive of the Ambulance Service.
It is recognised that a range of emergency service vehicles and supporting operational vehicles in operation in Greater Manchester require full road access to all parts of the City Region.
Trafford Park
It is therefore proposed that:
50% discount should apply for all charged car trips into/out of Trafford Park until the completion of the full Trafford Park public transport package.
The TIF delivery programme shows that the full package of public transport measures for Trafford Park, including the proposed Metrolink expansion, cannot be completed by 2013. Indeed, the optimal public transport package will not be operational until late 2016. A significant package of public transport improvement schemes, utilising bus priority and shuttle bus measures, will be introduced into Trafford Park (and will be the subject of consultation with Trafford Park businesses during the TIF consultation period) as quickly as possible following the approval of the TIF package.