No vehicle tax cut, says Bogotá mayor
by Jonathan Roorda January 26, 2009
Bogotá mayor Samuel Moreno will not be lowering vehicle taxes despite
extending the city's 'Pico y Placa' system. Many citizens called for
less taxes as they will not be able to use their cars as much as before.
In an interview with Caracol Radio, Moreno explained that a lowering of taxes wasn't even considered because "the idea is that we all contribute and that there is no exception for anyone".
Moreno added that the Pico y Placa extension will be permanent. The system was originally created for rush hours. Based on the final number of a car's license plate, the vehicle would not be allowed on the road during rush hours of particular days.
As traffic remained chaotic outside rush hours, Moreno made a decision to extend the system to begin at 6am and end at 8pm.
This increase forces many Bogotanos to find a new way of transport. A tax cut would have helped to finance other options but Moreno refuses to give in.
Pico y Placa will not be applied on Saturdays, the mayor added: "On Saturday there is a lot of familiar activity and the citizen must understand that if he takes out his vehicle, the traffic jams will be a lot worse."