Prompt: TASK 2 IELTS WRITING: Positive or negative trend? In some cities, the government has tried to reduce traffic by imposing congestion tax during rush hours. Is this positive or negative?

Congestion pricing has been applied in a number of countries as a solution to heavy traffic in this day and age. While many maintain that it brings certain benefits, I believe that this is a negative development since it cannot fully tackle the traffic crisis and arouse deep discontent among the masses towards the government. Ċ The main reason why I suppose this trend is unfavorable is because congestion tax alone is unlikely to thoroughly resolve the traffic problem. To elaborate, it does not reduce the people's legitimate need to travel at peak hours, thereby people remain driving on roads although they are taxed. Hence, this tax measure is considered to be costly and meaningless for both commuters and governments as it does not reach its primary goal to reduce the number of vehicles available in multiple cities. Ċ Moreover, congestion tax would cause people's fierce discontent against their authority. This is because it puts low-income drivers under financial pressure when they have to pay a very regular amount of money each day just for movement while there are other living expenses that are more essential for them to deal with. As a result, people would question the practicality and effectiveness of this promised solution for traffic overload - congestion tax, and whether it is a disguised profiteering behavior of state officials. Once people feel their rights are threatened, they would develop hatred towards their government and stand up against it, leading to uncontrollable chaos in the community. Ċ In short, I firmly believe this is a negative trend due to its ineffectiveness in reducing traffic as well as increasing discontent in the community. Given this situation, the government should apply more optimal measures such as investing in upgrading public transportation and investing in building bridges.