How does France’s HGV eco-tax suspension affect RUC professionals?

Following violent protests from HGV drivers in France, the country's planned introduction of their distance-based eco-tax scheme has now been suspended. French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici has announced plans to renegotiate the contract concluded with Italian-led consortium Ecomouv, charged with implementing the country's controversial heavy goods vehicle (HGV) eco-tax, to minimise the cost of the levy for taxpayers in France. He emphasised that although the HGV tax has indeed been suspended in the
Charging, Tolling & Road Pricing / November 14, 2013
Following violent protests from HGV drivers in France, the country's planned introduction of their distance-based eco-tax scheme has now been suspended.  French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici has announced plans to renegotiate the contract concluded with Italian-led consortium 6555 Ecomouv, charged with implementing the country's controversial heavy goods vehicle (HGV) eco-tax, to minimise the cost of the levy for taxpayers in France.

He emphasised that although the HGV tax has indeed been suspended in the wake of ongoing violent demonstrations in Brittany, the intention is still that the levy will be introduced.

A huge public acceptance issue with ramifications across the industry, what does this mean for professionals involved in road user charging?

Former Minister of State for Transport UK, Dr Stephen Ladyman, will be exploring this question and more during a live and interactive panel session at the 11th annual <%$Linker:2External<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary />000oLinkExternalRoad User Charging Conferencewww.roaduserchargingconference.co.uk/falsehttp://www.roaduserchargingconference.co.uk/falsefalse%> taking place on Wednesday and Thursday 5 and 6 March 2014 at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in Brussels, Belgium.

Dr Ladyman will take part in an interactive panel session exploring topics including: Has the issue of public acceptance and acceptability become the greatest obstacle to road user charging schemes?; To what extent can the public be nudged towards acceptance of user based charges?; Is there a right and a wrong way to engage with the public?; How can RUC schemes deliver benefit to the individual?; Do policymakers need to pay more attention to the law of unintended consequences?

This leading event for RUC and ITS professionals provides a unique two-day discussion forum for the most innovative and forward-thinking leaders in the industry.
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