Re: congestions charges proposal (The Weekend Sun, page 5, September 15, 2023).

The major problem with traffic congestion country-wide is that fossil fuels are far too cheap. For most people it only costs around 20 cents per kilometre for fuel.

Unfortunately the cost of fuel is a non-controversial topic. People say fuel is expensive and almost all agree, much like the weather, a great day, when it is, and most concur. The alternative to motoring is to most unpalatable. For a 10km trip the fuel cost is about $2. The alternative is that most – me excluded – will not cycle, bus, walk or ride a horse for that amount. Simply look at the proliferation of 4x4s on the roads. Those owners certainly consider fuel is cheap. For as long as the country is wedded to absurdly cheap fuel not a lot will change.

Andrew Barry, Tauranga City.