Every vehicle entering the charging zone must pay regardless of its pollution level. Residents inside the restricted area must also pay to reach their houses but they have 40 free accesses per year and a discounted fare of . Access to the area is forbidden for diesel Euro 3 or below, gasoline Euro 0, and private vehicles over long. Electric vehicles, motorcycles and scooters, public utilities' vehicles, police and emergency vehicles, buses and taxis are exempt from the charge. Hybrid electric and bi-fuel natural gas vehicles (CNG and LPG) were exempt until 1 January 2013. This was later extended until the end of 2016. The program was temporarily suspended between 25 July and 17 September 2012 due to a ruling by the Council of State after protests by parking owners in the center of Milan. After the suspension in summer 2012, the entrance in the area is free from 6 pm on Thursday. until September 2022 2. residents have also 40 free accesses per year 3. includes public transport, emergency vehicles, taxis 4. with exceptions   Chauffeur vehicles (, NCC) with over 9 seats pay higher entrance fees, from 40 to 100, depending on the length of the vehicle. In the first month cars entering the city center decreased by 33%, with a total of about 700,000 vehicles less during the month or about 40,000 per day. A substantial decrease in traffic congestion in the restricted area was also reported, while traffic outside the area remained unchanged. The congestion charge did not appreciably affect pollution levels, with the exception of black carbon level, which decreased by about 30% in the "ZTL". Data from the first two months showed a decrease in traffic also outside the restricted zone. There was a reduction of about 6% of vehicles outside the ZTL compared to the same months of 2011. The reduced congestion in the city center resulted in increased average speed for public transport, especially for buses and during peak hours. While there has been an increase of only about 3% in the whole day, the average speed in the morning peak hour (8-9 am) for surface public transport was about 10% higher than pre-Area C levels. The traffic reduction inside Area C restricted area since its implementation, compared to the same period of the previous year, was 34.3% by 30 April 2012. The total traffic reduction in the Milan area was about 7% By 30 September 2012, Area C had been operating for a total of 140 days (since 16 January). During this period there has been a decrease of 32.8% in vehicles entering the area, compared to 2011.