Transport for London (TfL) has announced that Capital has been awarded a new contract to be the service provider for the Congestion Charge and Low Emission Zone in London.

The Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ) is a traffic area where a fee is charged on most motor vehicles, while the Low-Emission Zone (LEZ) seeks to restrict or deter access by specific polluting vehicles.

The contract has been awarded after a 12-month competitive tendering process. It is for five years with an option to extend for a further five years.

"Capita bring with them a wealth of experience."

Under the contract, Capita will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the CCZ and LEZ schemes from October 2015, when the current contract with IBM ends.

TfL’s COO for surface transport Garrett Emmerson said: "Capita has been selected to fulfil these contracts because they are well equipped to meet our operational and technical requirements.

"The contract provides good value-for-money and includes the provision for a number of improvements to the Congestion Charge scheme that will make things easier and more straightforward for customers.

"Capita bring with them a wealth of experience, as they were responsible for creating the technology and systems that enabled us to launch the Congestion Charge in 2003."

Capita will also provide IT, back office systems and customer contract centre for the CCZ and LEZ schemes.