noun phrase · formal
congestion charge
UK/kənˈdʒestʃən tʃɑːdʒ/US/kənˈdʒestʃən tʃɑrdʒ/con·GES·tion CHARGE
A fee drivers pay to enter a crowded area, intended to reduce traffic.
Examples
“Many European cities use a congestion charge to discourage driving into the centre during weekdays.”
“The council proposed increasing the congestion charge to fund public transport improvements.”
“Since the congestion charge was introduced, bus services have become more reliable during rush hour.”
Band 8 sentence
“Implementing a congestion charge has proven effective in several cities by shifting peak-time commuters onto public transport.”
Collocations
- introduce a congestion charge
- pay the congestion charge
Word family
Common mistakes
a congestion charge→the congestion charge
pay congestion→pay the congestion charge
Say it for a higher band
5traffic fee→6city toll→7+congestion charge
Synonyms
congestion pricing
Easily confused
congestion pricing
“The city studied congestion pricing before deciding on a final policy.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In City & Urban life
Learn it with its set