Auckland's Northern Toll Road

[p.dath]

Interesting read:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10602181&pnum=0

It costs $2.70 to collect each $2 toll when someone rings up, and on average it costs $1.29 to collect each $2 toll.

And the kicker, the law only allows for 65 cents to be deducted for transaction costs. Not that it matters when you are a Government department. It might as well be 100%.

[cs363]

Bureaucracy gone mad, yet again! :rolleyes:

[jono035]

Sweet, at least it is creating jobs I guess??

[p.dath]

What I don't understand either is why we "developed" a tollng system. There are shitloads around the world. Why couldn't we just buy a system that already worked?

[cs363]

What I don't understand either is why we "developed" a tollng system. There are shitloads around the world. Why couldn't we just buy a system that already worked?

:lol: See my earlier post! :D

[jono035]

What I don't understand either is why we "developed" a tollng system. There are shitloads around the world. Why couldn't we just buy a system that already worked?

To be fair, it's not that much likely to be better/cheaper in my experience...

[YellowDog]

So how many years have been projected for it to take before the works are paid for and having no tolls on this road?

Surely making it a free road from day one would have been a cheaper option for all!

[SixPackBack]

Interesting read:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10602181&pnum=0

It costs $2.70 to collect each $2 toll when someone rings up, and on average it costs $1.29 to collect each $2 toll.

And the kicker, the law only allows for 65 cents to be deducted for transaction costs. Not that it matters when you are a Government department. It might as well be 100%.

No worries. They still have the cunty Hazzard coppers to make up the shortfall.

[p.dath]

So how many years have been projected for it to take before the works are paid for and having no tolls on this road?

Surely making it a free road from day one would have been a cheaper option for all!

They should at least scrap the option of supporting phone payments. What the point in collecting $2 when it is going to cost $2.70 to get it.

Surely someone in charge looks at the business case for this. Obviously not.

[jono035]

They should at least scrap the option of supporting phone payments. What the point in collecting $2 when it is going to cost $2.70 to get it.

Surely someone in charge looks at the business case for this. Obviously not.

Yeah, they would still have the roadside option which should surely work fine.

[Maha]

Looks like motorcycles will be paying a toll as of Jan'.....:niceone:

[ManDownUnder]

No worries. They still have the cunty Hazzard coppers to make up the shortfall.

But that would imply some sort of quota system... surely...?

[cs363]

But that would imply some sort of quota system... surely...?

Noooo..... SHOCK, HORROR! :lol:

[Korumba]

Sweet, at least it is creating jobs I guess??

Yep I allways wave to the guys taking the toll.........24/7 all weather!

[Maha]

Yep I allways wave to the guys taking the toll.........24/7 all weather!

You may need a cantilever plate soon, cos they'll be waving back....:wavey:

[YellowDog]

Looks like motorcycles will be paying a toll as of Jan'.....:niceone:
Huh ? :nono:

[cs363]

Huh ? :nono:

Thank everybody's friends (??) the AA: http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/aa-responds-northern-gateway-toll-road-report/5/26450

[Maha]

Huh ? :nono:

Yes its true...''a zero toll for motorcycles is under review, with any change due to be known by the end of the year''

[p.dath]

Yes its true...''a zero toll for motorcycles is under review, with any change due to be known by the end of the year''

I seldom use the toll road when I'm on my bike. It's a really boring road to ride on.
If they did decide to start charging then I would probably continue using alternative routes - permanently. It's not worth the $2 to me. I get better value from not using it.

In fact, I'd be more likely to pay $2 to NOT ride on it.

[jono035]

I seldom use the toll road when I'm on my bike. It's a really boring road to ride on.
If they did decide to start charging then I would probably continue using alternative routes - permanently. It's not worth the $2 to me. I get better value from not using it.

In fact, I'd be more likely to pay $2 to NOT ride on it.

Depends on what your goal is really. Most of the time that I am heading up north then I'm driving for 4 hours anyway, I'd rather shave some off the time than make it more interesting... Hell, if it was dead flat, dead straight and with a 140 km/hr speed limit I'd be pretty happy.

[Mom]

The biggest laugh here is the statment from AA spokesman, Simon Lambourne that says

"Motorcycles equally benefit from the road's shorter travel time, the safer infrastructure and the fuel cost savings, so it's only fair for them to also pay the toll to use the road."

Fuel cost savings? Not sure when he last filled a bike, but $2 is a lot of gas in the blue lovelies tank. Frankly the old road is a better ride, but sadly restricted to 80kph for the most part. Here in Hazzard County plod loves nothing better than to ping the naughty biker for exceeding the posted limit. Beside which, the tunnels are cool for making noise in :whistle:

[Rayray401]

You see, all the smart people with their business and law degrees have all gone to either aus or usa or somewhere with better job opportunities, nz is left with the people from polytechnic.....you wonder why no ones looked at the business side of things..

[Rayray401]

The biggest laugh here is the statment from AA spokesman, Simon Lambourne that says

"Motorcycles equally benefit from the road's shorter travel time, the safer infrastructure and the fuel cost savings, so it's only fair for them to also pay the toll to use the road."

Fuel cost savings? Not sure when he last filled a bike, but $2 is a lot of gas in the blue lovelies tank. Frankly the old road is a better ride, but sadly restricted to 80kph for the most part. Here in Hazzard County plod loves nothing better than to ping the naughty biker for exceeding the posted limit. Beside which, the tunnels are cool for making noise in :whistle:

wait wait, so motorcycles need to pay the toll too now? i thought it was free?

[Mom]

wait wait, so motorcycles need to pay the toll too now? i thought it was free?

Motorcycles are still able to travel the road for no toll. Read the signs, they clearly say Motorbike $0. The fact that bikes are even mentioned on bloody great big roadside signs indicated that we would eventually be charged. It is being reviewed and a decision will be made before the end of the year on how much we will pay.

[Swoop]

"Motorcycles equally benefit from the road's shorter travel time, the safer infrastructure and the fuel cost savings, so it's only fair for them to also pay the toll to use the road."
But the wear and tear that a bike "inflicts" on the road surface is 0.
The AA are, once again, proving themselves to be retarded morons who want to play political gamesmanship.

When the signs went up with "Motorcycles = $0" the future was already set.

[munster]

We'll just all have to learn how to do this

<a href="http://s89.photobucket.com/albums/k204/munster4x4/?action=view&current=SpeedCameraMotorbikeFoot.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k204/munster4x4/SpeedCameraMotorbikeFoot.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[FastBikeGear]

If they do bring in a motorcycle toll I vote we all pay by phone so that it costs them 70 cents more than they collect per motorcycle.

....No wait this is a dumb protest idea because somewhere along the way it will just cost us extra in taxes, levies or other charges.

[gwigs]

I think if you commuted regularly and paid it in advance its the way to go.
But if you are only using it for one journey there and back I think you would be better off going the free scenic route and saving yourself time,money and hassle.
The time it takes to stop and pay and if theres a queue....paying online is a pain in arse as I found out.
Nope even being free on the bike I prefer the old route.:scooter:

[SPman]

You see, all the smart people with their business and law degrees have all gone to either aus or usa or somewhere with better job opportunities,
And thank the gods for that - the more Lawyers and MBAs that fuck off overseas, the sooner NZ might get a chance to pull itself out from under the yoke without those parasites leeching it dry......

[vifferman]

....No wait this is a dumb protest idea because somewhere along the way it will just cost us extra in taxes, levies or other charges.
The thing is, already more is being collected in road user charges and special roading levies than is spent on the road infrastructure. If they merely directed more of it into the purpose it is supposedly being collected for, there would be no need for road tolls.

What I really can't understand is the dumbarses that queue for longer to pay their tolls at the machines than the time it would take to avoid the toll road and go the long way:weird:.

Still, the 'other way' is now very pleasant to drive on (I must make a pilgrimage with the bike one weekend soon). Shame so much of it is 80km/h. Why? Especially with the reduced traffic flow - it makes no sense! The problem is NOT that the road is inherently unsafe (it's a lovely road!) There needs to be some method for peramanently dealing with the retards that can't drive properly.

[FastBikeGear]

Still, the 'other way' is now very pleasant to drive on (I must make a pilgrimage with the bike one weekend soon). Shame so much of it is 80km/h. Why? Especially with the reduced traffic flow - it makes no sense! The problem is NOT that the road is inherently unsafe (it's a lovely road!) There needs to be some method for peramanently dealing with the retards that can't drive properly.

The speed limit on this road was reduced to 80km/h shortly after the decision to go ahead with the toll road was made. It could be that they did this to encourage people to use the toll road.

I wonder if the reason that bikes arn't currently tolled is

a) That their number plate recognition stuff only looks at the front number plate?

B) Perhaps it is becasue that with most bikes better fuel economy a toll would make the non toll road the cheaper route?

c) perahaps it is becasue they love bikes and want to encourage their use because we are greener, consume less overseas funds (on petrol and purchase price) and lower road congestion?

I am voting for C on the basis that not everyone involved in policy and legislation is a moron despite what this forum would have you believe!

[jono035]

...

c) perahaps it is becasue they love bikes and want to encourage their use because we are greener, consume less overseas funds (on petrol and purchase price) and lower road congestion?

I am voting for C on the basis that not everyone involved in policy and legislation is a moron despite what this forum would have you believe!

Haven't they already announced plans to add motorcycles to the tolls?

[Sis]

Advert in the NZ Herald today on page A14 asking for our views on "whether motorcyclists should pay a toll to use the toll road, just like every other motorist." That is one loaded sentence.

Have your say - either phone 0800 40 20 20 or visit www.nzta.govt.nz/consultation

Seems ACC may have started something here!

[p.dath]

Advert in the NZ Herald today on page A14 asking for our views on "whether motorcyclists should pay a toll to use the toll road, just like every other motorist." That is one loaded sentence.

Have your say - either phone 0800 40 20 20 or visit www.nzta.govt.nz/consultation

Seems ACC may have started something here!

And I see they want to charge $2, not the initial $1 floated.

My opinion of public consultation are reducing with every consultation. The problem is if you don't put in a submission they say "that's what the public asked for" because no one opposed it.

[Devil]

Advert in the NZ Herald today on page A14 asking for our views on "whether motorcyclists should pay a toll to use the toll road, just like every other motorist." That is one loaded sentence.

Have your say - either phone 0800 40 20 20 or visit www.nzta.govt.nz/consultation

Seems ACC may have started something here!

Ah well. If it goes ahead I guess that's the last time i'll use it then!

[p.dath]

Ah well. If it goes ahead I guess that's the last time i'll use it then!

I guess that is the ultimate choice. I find it a boring piece of road to ride on.

Like you, if I had to pay to ride on it I would take the free route every time. I just hope they don't continue to downgrade the free path (it has been downgraded from 100km/h to 80km/h already).

I'm happy to pay when I'm in the cage, as I just went to get to my destination faster without all the queues. My riding is more pleasurable, and saving the trip time is not a high priority.


Perhaps I should make a submission suggesting that $2 is too cheap, and they should make it $1m dollars, to illustrate the point.

[p.dath]

For those interested, this is the URL for the latest NZTA operating report on the northern toll road.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/publications/docs/tollroad-report-200906.pdf

[Swoop]

marked the commencement of a 35-year tolling business...