DutchNews.nl - GroenLinks calls for clarity on kilometre tax

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GroenLinks calls for clarity on kilometre tax

Thursday 15 November 2007

Green party GroenLinks has called on transport minister Camiel Eurlings to explain rumours that the planned national kilometre tax for motorists cannot be introduced before 2016.

The Telegraaf newspaper quotes a memo from Eurlings for Friday's cabinet meeting in which he says the system can only be fully operational by 2016 at the earliest.

According to the coalition accord, a first, 'irreversible step' towards a kilometre tax must be taken this cabinet period, which ends in 2012.

Sources say Eurlings has drawn up a number of proposals to kick-start the project. These range from imposing a rush hour tax on motorists around the big cities to imposing the kilometre tax on the transport sector only.

Yesterday it emerged that an umbrella group of employers and motoring organisations, plus the transport and environmental lobbies, were drawing up their own recommendations, based on rewarding drivers who avoid busy periods.

Eurlings has promised to finalise his plans before his ministry's 2008 budget is debated at the end of this month.

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Readers' comments

Groenlinks why did you have to bring this up? Just another excuse to tax hard working people once again!

By sandra | November 15, 2007 11:58 AM

I agree that traffic jams are a major problem in this country but a quick win to reduce them and the subsequent car emissions would be to make the train service WORK!!!

If the trains ran better, then maybe more people would take them, even though the Dutch do seem to have a Status Quo issue about driving to work, they seem to think it makes them more important.

By L | November 15, 2007 1:45 PM

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