You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

In some countries, the government has tried to reduce traffic. For instance, they imposed a congestion tax during rush hour. Do you think this development is positive or negative?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Write at least 250 words. 

MODEL ANSWER>>>

Many innovative ideas are being framed and implemented to reduce the traffic, and congestion tax during peak hours is one of those. When some countries execute laws to collect such a tax, I think it adversely affects the general public’s freedom to travel, despite some minor advantages.

One of the visible difficulties which the commuters are expected to face is that it limits their convenience to travel. To be clearer, most people who are on the roads with vehicles have no uniform purpose of travel. For example, when some travel to work, others go to schools or colleges. There are also travels made in case of medical and other emergencies. A tax like this would appear more or like a restriction to these people whose purpose of travel is genuine.

The next issue is the economic liability. To be precise, regular travellers at peak hours will have to keep aside a considerable proportion of money every month from their earnings to pay the congestion tax. Many of these people are already paying road tax, vehicle tax, pollution and insurance. In addition, to use some special lanes, they have to pay heavily. All this adds burden to the general public.

I admit that the move can bring about visible results in reducing the traffic and restrict unwanted travels during rush hours. However, considering the difficulties which the majority of the population anticipate with the reform, it is the responsibility of the authorities to look for other alternatives like introducing metro rails, which can accommodate a higher number of travellers to a particular destination. Elevated highways, subways and convenient parking facilities are also good suggestions.

To conclude, it is clear that this move can definitely reduce the issue of traffic congestion to some extent. However, when better alternatives are there, it is recommended to keep this as a second priority.