The toll to drive through central London will rise 60 per cent to 8 pounds (15 dollars) on July 4, London's Mayor Ken Livingstone announced Friday. Income of 45 million pounds from tolls through the 20 square- kilometre zone is to be invested in public transport among other uses, the announcement said. Livingstone added that 90 per cent of commuters to the zone currently use public transport. The rise was sharply criticised by some politicians, who said trade in the zone was already suffering from the reduction of revenue caused by the traffic reduction tax introduced 2 years ago with fewer shoppers travelling to the zone. Since the introduction of the toll in February 2003, 70,000 fewer automobiles enter central London. The toll is collected on working days between 7 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. --SP 2319 Local Time 2019 GMT
