Citizens' involvement in the LTZ congestion charge

Area C has an outstanding attractiveness because of the activities and services settled in, that determine during the central daylight hours an average of 39.000 persons/km2, with a peak of almost 140.000 person/km2 within the historic centre.
Improving the life conditions of those who live, work, study and visit the city is the goal of the Congestion Charge in Area C. Milan experienced two types of road pricing scheme: a pollution charge 2008-2012 and a congestion charge 2012 –present. This second scheme was setup following the results of a bottom-up referendum, approved by 79.1 % of voters, asking a plan of action to enhance public transport and alternative mobility, the extension of the road charge to all vehicles (except those with zero emission) and the progressive widening of the area subjected to the pricing. The congestion charge is based on a system of tickets, to be paid by the vehicles entering the zone.
“Area C” can be considered an innovative project and a best practice for the experiences gained, the participative process and the methodology (bottom-up approach). The project included a very good participative approach through a referendum involving the whole local population. The implementation process started in 2008 by the start-up of a Pollution charge into “Area C” of the city, followed by a referendum that approved the congestion charge into the same area, in which all the main mobility stakeholders were involved.