But why is a congestion charge necessary at all, then? Why not just invest in public transportation?

Particularly troubling to me is the presentation's reference to London as a success. In fact, London's congestion charge has placed an *enormous* burden on working class people.

An "enormous burden"? Really? So "enormous" that full-time students ride free in London using their Underground (our Metro) and bus service. Here in DC, students now pay even more for their fare card since WMATA raised the Metro fare charges (I testified against this increase). Plus, Ken Livingstone's strongest support came from the lower income brackets and people of color. While he just narrowly lost to the Conservative, he did far better than other Labor candidates who were punished because of the neo-liberal policies of their party. Boris the Conservative got his support mainly from the upper and middle class from the suburbs of Greater London.

And why not just invest in public transportation? A congestion charge is precisely the way that such revenues can be generated. Of course we must press for more federal funding and other measures that increase investment in mass transit, such as raising parking garage fees that are obligated to go into mass transit especially clean and cheaper bus service. And a congestion charge especially on SUVs will reduce congestion and air pollution that is a main driver of the childhood asthma epidemic we witness here in the District.

Sorry, I forgot to identify myself as the author of the last comment.