LMP urges introduction of Budapest congestion charge

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Opposition LMP on Thursday said Hungary could no longer afford to hold off on introducing a congestion charge in Budapest, arguing that deteriorating air quality in the city was costing “thousands of lives” a year.

“Those living in downtown Budapest are paying for the comfort of motorists with their lungs,” lawmaker Antal Csárdi told an online press conference. Budapest belongs to its residents and the city must not be taken over by cars, he said.

The government and the city council should have introduced a congestion charge in the city years ago, Csárdi said.

The charge will help reduce traffic if it is affordable and if a viable alternative is offered to motorists at the same time, he said. Csárdi said the 5,000 forint (EUR 12.6) “climate pass” proposed by his party would give people access to all means of public transport in the city.