Child Pens Heartfelt Letter to Mayor of Tbilisi

On the topic of the proposed car tax to reduce traffic congestion in Tbilisi, a youth asked GEORGIA TODAY to pass on this Open Letter to Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze. 

Dear Mayor,

It is a commonly held belief that imposing a city tax on cars to reduce congestion and emission would work. However, people tend to believe that imposing additional costs on car owners may create an unfair advantage to richer groups of society who can afford these extra expenses. 

I am inclined to agree with the first argument, as I profoundly believe in clean air as the most crucial aspect of a high living standard in a metropolis. A city-imposed tax on car drivers attempting to motor into narrow and tiny streets in the Old Town allows citizens to judge for themselves if their ride into the city center is of vital importance. Car traffic would decrease to only necessary journeys, leading to lower air pollution.

Free parking, otherwise used for vehicles coming from out of town, can be converted to green spaces and parks providing additional spots for social interaction. Simultaneously, city governments are advised to spur the development of public transport systems, while reducing their ticket prices to encourage the public to change their preferred means of transportation. Fewer private vehicles in congested areas would allow the implementation of additional buses, which would arrive more punctually at the various bus stops.

In contrast, a number of private citizens are protesting the above-mentioned city tax, as they see their right of free movement as being curtailed. In their opinion, it limits the street usage in city centers to a small, privileged group possessing the financial power to pay the extra tax. They defend their belief by urging the government to build more underground tunnels to redirect cars in a more efficient manner. They also put forward proposals to get building permits for underground parking spaces.

Although both sides have reasonable arguments, I would appreciate more cities, such as Tbilisi, to introduce a tax for car owners as it ultimately creates a greener city and a better public transport system.

A Child in Tbilisi