Motorcyclists to pay tolls on northern motorway

[Mr Merde]

From todays Herald

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10648610

The free ride for motorcyclists on the northern gateway is almost over.
From tomorrow, bikers will have to pay $2 each time they use the toll road on State Highway One just north of Auckland. That is the same fee for cars and other light vehicles using the stretch of road.
When the road opened in January last year, the toll for motorcyclists was set at zero pending a review. The fee was set earlier this year following public consultation.

[yachtie10]

yes its been discussed for a while

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/90508-Northern-Gateway-motorbikes-to-pay-2-like-a-car?highlight=northern+toll

[shrub]

Good old user pays huh? Pay in 10 cent pieces. I remember the bad old days of tolls on the harbour bridge and it is a pain in the arse because you have to stop, put your bike in neutral, take your gloves off, find the coin and pay the man. Pisses citizens behind off no end.

[Fatjim]

How long do you think it will take them to realize that if motorcyclists take 5 minutes each to get their gear off and back on again to pay $2 then it just ain't worth it.

[NighthawkNZ]

remember to stop bike... put bike on main stand... take gloves off, take of sunglasses, take helmet off, look for wallet... walk over to pay, get ticket, fumble about puting wallet in secure spot... put gloves on, put helmet on, take gloves off again, do up helmet, put on gloves, take off gloves and put on sunglasses, put on gloves... take bike off the main stand, climb on bike, start bike, make it obvious you are try to be comfortable be for riding off... then the next biker comes in and does the exactly the same thing... have 200 bikers doing that, during rush hour...

[ac3_snow]

yeap its a pain in the arse. but in this case it an argument that doesnt quite work. To pay you need to pull into the bp service station, or the layby at the other end, park up and then wonder in side and then que for the toll machines to throw your two bux at. So there is absolutly no one put out or held up by the hassle we have to go through to simply produce a two dollor coin, other than us.
My solution is, its a pretty boring stretch of road any way and its more fun going round the long way. and if you take into account the taking gear off etc, the 'long' way may in fact be quicker!

[Fatjim]

AC, how does it work for motorists. Surely not everyone is queuing at the BP. Are there sensors you scan the ticket on? How's it all enforced?

From a Wellingtonian.

[ac3_snow]

yeap everyone has to que and pay at a booth in the bp at one end and a lay by on side of road at other end. Thats if you wish to pre pay. otherwise you can simply drive on through and pay afterwards via the internet. there is also a 0800 number to pre/post pay with. OR for the regular user you can by a 'concession' type thing i beleive so you don't hafta pay every time.
Its all enforced by cameras that snap your number plate (which you hafta enter when you pay) so they are all cross checked and those who havn't paid a week or so after using get a bigger bill in the mail.
Come to think of it tho I THINK that all the cameras work on your front number plate..... (can't be sure tho and sure sum1 would be smart enough to change this if they want to charge bikes).

[Big Dave]

It should say 'Consultation with the anti-motorcycling group, AA.'

[Morcs]

why is everyone moaning about that its a pain in the arse to pay? no you dont have to stop anywhere to pay.
Do the same as you do in the car, go online and pay it after your trip.

But yes motorcycles having to pay the toll is ridiculous. but hey, if it attracts a few more cops to that road, and less on SH16, then SH16 will be the faster way north anyway ;)

[Dodgyiti]

Cameras front and back, no escape. Instead of paying at the toll booth- stop and remove the number plate, it's only 2 bolts...

[firefighter]

My stance on this remains the same. Yep, we should pay our share. No, we should'nt be paying the same as a car. Just like you have to pay more if you have a trailer, or if your in a truck.

[Swoop]

Cameras front and back, no escape. Instead of paying at the toll booth- stop and remove the number plate, it's only 2 bolts...
Stickytape is much faster.

[breakaway]

Pay by phone. It costs them over $2 to process your payment when paid for by phone, so its actually a loss.

[MarkH]

its more fun going round the long way. and if you take into account the taking gear off etc, the 'long' way may in fact be quicker!

+1 to this.
Like in the other thread I would call on all motorcyclists to boycott this toll road, the other route wont take much longer and is more fun - to use this road is to accept that it is fair to pay as much as cars, don't accept that!

If fairness was what they cared about then they would make everyone that gains the convenience of using their 0800 number pay an extra $2 to cover the cost of providing it.

[Big Dave]

Pay by phone. It costs them over $2 to process your payment when paid for by phone, so its actually a loss.

Probeleeeem is what do you reckon the Authority will do then?

A) Reduce or let bikes go for free again.
B) Raise the tax.

[breakaway]

The toll road isn't actually designed to recoup money from the road users for the cost of building/maintaining the road. It's part of a traffic management strategy. So, I don't think in the grand scheme of things, it will make any difference at all.

[gsx katana]

Take the long way. over the hill. yee ha

[Maha]

why is everyone moaning about that its a pain in the arse to pay? no you dont have to stop anywhere to pay.
Do the same as you do in the car, go online and pay it after your trip.

But yes motorcycles having to pay the toll is ridiculous. but hey, if it attracts a few more cops to that road, and less on SH16, then SH16 will be the faster way north anyway ;)

They have lowered the speed to 80 on the Brynderwyns as of last week, two cops on the northern side both Saturday and Sunday...easy money.
It was good to see the huge protest at the weekend on the toll road supported by all those who beleive that a bike toll is unjust.

Edit: Apologies, I got that wrong, there was no protest, those who appose the toll did nothing. :doh:

[Big Dave]

Take the long way. over the hill. yee ha

Makes no difference to me either - A freeway of last resort.
If you commuted from Wellsford to work at Orewa and are doing it on a bike for monetary reasons it's a bit of an issue no?

[Big Dave]

The toll road isn't actually designed to recoup money from the road users for the cost of building/maintaining the road. It's part of a traffic management strategy. So, I don't think in the grand scheme of things, it will make any difference at all.

You give any Government a tax stick and they will hit you with it. It be a Universal truth.

[Bender]

What shits me is the way they run the "account" side of it. I have a toll account which is paid for via my credit card.

It costs $24. When the total drops to $12 they automatically top it up. No probs there.

But I put my wife's car number plate onto my ccount and the amount goes to $48 and when it drops to 24 they top it up again.

If I add my bike plate to it, if they use the same system, it will be $72 topping up from $48.

It means they are holding quite a bit if my money. Note: We only ever drive one vehicle ... not two or three, at the same time.

Bloody thieves. They just screw you at every opportunity.

[Morcs]

They have lowered the speed to 80 on the Brynderwyns as of last week, two cops on the northern side both Saturday and Sunday...easy money.
It was good to see the huge protest at the weekend on the toll road supported by all those who beleive that a bike toll is unjust.

Edit: Apologies, I got that wrong, there was no protest, those who appose the toll did nothing. :doh:

Didnt mean the brynderwyns, ya only need to bypass the toll road to warkworth or wellsford...

[Maha]

Just pointing out the lowering of the speed limits in the district.

[Mom]

Bloody thieves. They just screw you at every opportunity.

I recommend you close that account. I strongly oppose any organisation that holds my money for no returns. You can prepay trips by internet/phone.

[The Pastor]

They have lowered the speed to 80 on the Brynderwyns as of last week, two cops on the northern side both Saturday and Sunday...easy money.


goodlord NO!

[Pixie]

Good old user pays huh? Pay in 10 cent pieces. I remember the bad old days of tolls on the harbour bridge and it is a pain in the arse because you have to stop, put your bike in neutral, take your gloves off, find the coin and pay the man. Pisses citizens behind off no end.


How long do you think it will take them to realize that if motorcyclists take 5 minutes each to get their gear off and back on again to pay $2 then it just ain't worth it.


remember to stop bike... put bike on main stand... take gloves off, take of sunglasses, take helmet off, look for wallet... walk over to pay, get ticket, fumble about puting wallet in secure spot... put gloves on, put helmet on, take gloves off again, do up helmet, put on gloves, take off gloves and put on sunglasses, put on gloves... take bike off the main stand, climb on bike, start bike, make it obvious you are try to be comfortable be for riding off... then the next biker comes in and does the exactly the same thing... have 200 bikers doing that, during rush hour...

No clues at all eh?

[shrub]

No clues at all eh?

We don't live in Auckland you halfwit . ::doh:

[CRM]

I live in Whangarei and travel quite a bit to Auckland and south for business on bike and car so just use the credit card option which seems pretty painless - just put the bike on it now. I do the SH16 option if I'm coming or going to Henderson (which I do often). The road through Kaukapapa coming out at Wellsford is awesome and it's almost as quick - quicker at busy periods on SH1. Also if you have a little time on your hands you can avoid the Bryderwyns altogether going around the Mangawai road - another awesome ride.

[NighthawkNZ]

No clues at all eh?

I personally don't give a fuck about your tolls

[Big Dave]

I personally don't give a fuck about your tolls

The word that should be of mild concern to all is 'precedent'.
A moan on the interweeble or a stern letter is about all that can be realistically done about it too. Death -> Taxes.

[NighthawkNZ]

The word that should be of mild concern to all is 'precedent'.
A moan on the interweeble or a stern letter is about all that can be realistically done about it too. Death -> Taxes.


my theory is if you don't want to pay the toll don't use that bit of road...

[cheesemethod]

My theory if you don't want to pay the tolls:

209249

[Big Dave]

Ref: post 20.

[Big Dave]

My theory if you don't want to pay the tolls:


This theory has merit - could you please explain it within the GN250 parameter? :-)

[shrub]

The word that should be of mild concern to all is 'precedent'.

I suspect there will come a day when toll roads are commonplace throughout NZ as user pays grows. My one consolation is that most of the roads I enjoy are unlikely to generate more than a few dollars in tolls because I like the roads that have very little traffic. However I do commute, and so it will cost me money to do that.

Thank God for my tax cut, I'll need it.

[-Alias-]

My one consolation is that most of the roads I enjoy are unlikely to generate more than a few dollars in tolls because I like the roads that have very little traffic. However I do commute, and so it will cost me money to do that.


I'm in the same boat as you although I believe as new roads are built (these are the roads that will be tolled) then the local roads which i currently enjoy but are frustratingly being filled with MrMrsMuppetAverageCommuter will return to being local roads that are not clogged with people who have no business being on the roads let alone in control of a vehicle.

This means that when transmission Gully is built I may yet be able to enjoy Paekakariki hill and SH58 as god intended whether in my cage or on my bike.

I'm delusional i know, but ya cant stop a man from dreaming!

[EZAS]

Makes no difference to me either - A freeway of last resort.
If you commuted from Wellsford to work at Orewa and are doing it on a bike for monetary reasons it's a bit of an issue no?
I commute between Wellsford and Albany. I moved to Wellsford as the tunnel was being completed (I believe I was the first to pull a wheelie in the tunnels too). I ride to work first and foremost for the fuel economy, this was also a major reason why I traded my ZX9R in for a EX250J. It costs $10.00 on gas to get to work and back. This toll effectively increases my travel costs by 40%.

Reasons why Bikes are charged:
It's Cheaper on Gas
I believe the alternate route (through Waiweara/Wenderholm) is an extra 5km. My bike does 25-30k per litre. 1 litre of gas is only (about) $1.80.
It's Safer
You'll see alot more HP cars issuing tickets on the motorway stretch than on SH16 and SH17 combined.
It's less time consuming
1 out of 3 ... rant over.

[Rogue Rider]

stupid thing is, yanks offered to build that road for free after the second world war as a thank you, but wtf, thanks boys, but we don't need it for 65 years, nagh, we'll build it then for one kazilion dollars more lol.......

[Rogue Rider]

I commute between Wellsford and Albany. I moved to Wellsford as the tunnel was being completed (I believe I was the first to pull a wheelie in the tunnels too). I ride to work first and foremost for the fuel economy, this was also a major reason why I traded my ZX9R in for a EX250J. It costs $10.00 on gas to get to work and back. This toll effectively increases my travel costs by 40%.

Reasons why Bikes are charged:
It's Cheaper on Gas
I believe the alternate route (through Waiweara/Wenderholm) is an extra 5km. My bike does 25-30k per litre. 1 litre of gas is only (about) $1.80.
It's Safer
You'll see alot more HP cars issuing tickets on the motorway stretch than on SH16 and SH17 combined.
It's less time consuming
1 out of 3 ... rant over.

Motorway pffft, they will toll all new roads like this as a benchmark of user pays..... however we pay huge taxes on fuel and other area's to contribute to road use and maintenance. I am of the mind that if ALL the money taxed and collected from road users was put into road infrastructure then the roading of nz would be in a much better state.
Road users get a raw deal.

[McDuck]

If coins are magnetic why not just stick a magnet to your bike before you leave and pull the coin off the magnet with gloved hand as you go through?

[Bikemad]

If coins are magnetic why not just stick a magnet to your bike before you leave and pull the coin off the magnet with gloved hand as you go through?
i used to have a bulldog clip on my triple clamp to hold the 10 cent piece for the harbour bridge tolls years ago...........easy
trouble is theres no one to catch it tho

[cheesemethod]

I paid the toll today just to take the new bike for a blast through the tunnel. Worth the $2 lol.

[EZAS]

Really surprised to see the regulars I normally pass on the "new stretch", now taking the old road. I still can't believe they're actively discouraging motorcycles from taking a safer road.

[NighthawkNZ]

They use to have a toll on the Auckland Harbour Bridge all them years ago... and if you get your tunnel you can bet your bottom dollar they will have a toll there as well...

[Bodir]

Just to make it perfectly clear: I do not wish this to happen!!!!!


However, all it now takes is a serious crash of a motorcycle on the alternative road to make sure the media is blowing this way out of proportion. Think of the headlines: Poor student forced to use unsafe road ...

Lets just hope it does not come to this.

[MarkH]

However, all it now takes is a serious crash of a motorcycle on the alternative road to make sure the media is blowing this way out of proportion. Think of the headlines: Poor student forced to use unsafe road ...

The old road is unsafe? Without all the trucks I quite like it - cheaper & funner than the toll road.

[Bodir]

The old road is unsafe? Without all the trucks I quite like it - cheaper & funner than the toll road.

This is what you got out of my post? I seriously have to reconsider what I wrote :) I was talking about the effect it would have regarding the decision to toll motorcylists and the public opinion of the decision makers.