TfL admits problems with fleet congestion charge payment system

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Transport for London (TfL) has admitted it is aware of “some problems” with the payment system used by fleets to pay London's congestion charge.

The IBM-managed system enables fleets, vehicle rental suppliers and other companies whose vehicles regularly enter the congestion zone to receive a £1 discount on the normal £8 congestion charge if they register their vehicles online. The system is then supposed to automatically charge the vehicles when they enter the congestion.

However, a string of complaints have plagued the system since IBM took over management from Capita in November, including from customers who have been overcharged or wrongly issued with fines.

TfL says the problems haven't affected individual paying customers, and claims to have now fixed the problem. “The technical issues have been addressed and the vast majority of accounts are now operating well,” a spokesperson told GC News.

“Owing to the nature of fleets, it will take time for this to be reflected in all cases. TfL is working closely with fleet operators to ensure that the system works effectively in the future.”

IBM has managed to cut around £75 million in unnecessary administrations costs since taking on the contract.

In addition, the company also overhauled TfL's computer systems to better gear them up for the future – a move that TfL estimates will save as much as £200 million over the course of its current business plan.

Once the teething problems have been ironed out, London mayor Boris Johnson says he plans to extend the autopay system to private vehicles.

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