The United States are the worst perpetrator, because embassies yield $ 217 million congestion debt in London – Jalopnik

While the world’s leading diplomats come together this week in New York City for the General Assembly of the United Nations, we are reminded of how their vehicles have effectively run free on the streets due to diplomatic immunity. Although delegations are exempt from newly imposed congestion costs in the Big Apple, it is a different story in the capital of Great Britain. Ambassades jointly owe $ 217.4 million in congestion costs to transport for London, and if leaving the costs was unpaid, the United States would have a pile of gold medals.

The congestion loading zone was founded in 2003 in the center of London. Cars are followed using automatic place readers and drivers can only be charged once a day. Drivers must pay a fee of £ 15 ($ 20) if they drive in the zone during weekdays between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM. The indictment is still forced during the weekend, but with an afternoon start time. The only time of the year in which directors are not charged is at the end of December between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Guidelines established by the Vienna Convention Exemption Diplomats of paying taxes to host countries. However, TFL states that the congestion costs are not taxes, but payments for a service. Although the position of the office is logical because it is a privilege to drive a vehicle to the center of one of the world’s largest cities, diplomats do not agree. TFL data is displayed That 145 countries owe unpaid congestion costs. The agency claims that the majority of embassies in London pays their charges, but it is not logical mathematically. There are 195 members of the United Nations, which means that there are only 30 non-recognized states who do not owe TFL money.

It may not be a competition to build the biggest debt to London possible, but the United States first becomes a national mile. The American embassy owes $ 21.1 million to TFL. Japan $ 14.5 million owes the London transport agency in a distant second place. New York decides to prevent you from becoming an international debt collector. When the city’s congestion program came into effect earlier this year, diplomats were exempt from the costs. According to the guardianDiplomats placed in New York were $ 15.7 million in parking cards. The figure would have been blew if diplomatic vehicles were subject to congestie prices, not to mention the costs for following all debt that would probably never be paid.

Despite the fact that diplomats are exempt, congestie prices in New York has been an undisputed success. In a report from June, Found the regional plan association That traffic congestion is around the city, both inside and outside the zone. Together with better traffic, the MTA is on schedule to generate $ 500 million in income this year to improve public transport. The only part of the city that is not influenced by the changes is Staten Island. Once again prove that Staten Island is really not part of New York City.