AA and the Northern gateway

[cowpatz]

Couldn't help but send an email to the AA spokesman.
Here is the content and his comprehensive reply.

Simon your comments are really pissing off a lot of AA members including me. Not only do I own a car but I also own a motorbike.
The comments I am referring to are:
AA spokesman Simon Lambourne says "it's fantastic to see so many motorists taking advantage of the toll road, and of course less congestion and improved safety on the alternative free SH17 Hibiscus Coast road. The technology which reads the license plates is impressive and we are very pleased to see that the road's debt repayment is ahead of schedule."
"That said, there are three issues in the report that concern the AA - the 33,000 motorcycles and rental cars using the road and not paying to do so; the 27,749 motorists who collectively have $207,000 in unpaid tolls; and the ongoing inadequacies of the cash payment facilities."
"There is no reason why a motorist should be charged $2 to use the road, while motorcycles get to use it for free. 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. Similarly, rental car companies seem to be exploiting a legal loophole to ensure they are not responsible for the toll, if payment has not been made by the car hirer."
"It's unacceptable that some motorists are refusing to pay the toll. In the interests of fairness to the 94 percent of users who do pay, the New Zealand Transport Agency needs to commence its enforcement process immediately."

It is obvious to everybody why motorbikes should be exempt....less wear and tear, carbon footprint, congestion.
What is the point in dobbing in other users (including tourists in rental cars)?
It is about time the AA stopped bashing bikes and started to support all road users. We have enough enemies without your tripe.

...and the reply:

Thanks for your frank feedback – we will have to agree to disagree.

Simon

SLambourne@aa.co.nz

SIMON LAMBOURNE | PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER & AUCKLAND TRANSPORT SPOKESMAN

The New Zealand Automobile Association Incorporated

Level 16, 99 Albert Street, Auckland | PO Box 5, Auckland

DDI. +64 9 966 8608 M. +64 21 659 029 F. +64 9 966 8904 W. www.aa.co.nz

[White trash]

Well, at least he's honest and not interested in pandering to public pressure. The man gets my vote simply for standing by his convictions. Wonder if he wants to run for PM?

[Blackbird]

It is obvious to everybody why motorbikes should be exempt....less wear and tear, carbon footprint, congestion.

[/I]

I can live with less wear and tear and congestion but less of a carbon footprint? Not sure about that!!! I'll admit that I've never looked for reliable statistics but exactly what are we talking about here? Total carbon footprint including manufacture or just based on petrol consumption? If it's consumption, then it's probably up for debate. One person on a bike at (say) about 18 km/litre. In a car, 2+ people on average at (say) about 12 km/litre. Get where I'm coming from?

We accuse ACC of massaging statistics, but we need to be careful about ours too.

[Gummie]

Ahhh just add it to the ACC levy and be done with it.

[Mully]

If you use the road everyday, commuting, I can see the argument for wanting to stay exempt.

Apart from that, it's a straight bit of road. Hopefully all the cars and campervans use it, and bikes can keep the twisty alternate route.

[jrandom]

One person on a bike at (say) about 18 km/litre. In a car, 2+ people on average at (say) about 12 km/litre. Get where I'm coming from?

Aye. And 18km/L? Luxury. I do well to get 15km/L on long trips.

Large modern motorcycles are designed for performance, not economy. A small car is cheaper to run.

[chasio]

I think it's interesting timing that we are being targeted for tolls at the same time as levy hikes. A bit like Government releasing bad unemployment figures (or whatever) on a day when some opposition MP is in the shit, they'll be hoping that everyone goes for the bigger story.

And I also feel 'so what?' about the toll proposal, anyway. It's a toll road, NZTA needs to pay for it, and we benefit by lighter traffic even if we bypass it, which 90% plus probably will. If I use it on the bike (heaven forbid) after it's chargeable, I'll pay on line and I won't be bothered about it.

The AA, on the other hand, should shut the fuck up and remember they have motorcyclist members they are failing to represent. Why do they care how fast the road gets paid off? Does anyone know why they are whining "it's not fair, miss"? I can't understand it at all.

Happy to use my membership to have a dig at the AGM, therefore.

[James Deuce]

I can live with less wear and tear and congestion but less of a carbon footprint? Not sure about that!!! I'll admit that I've never looked for reliable statistics but exactly what are we talking about here? Total carbon footprint including manufacture or just based on petrol consumption? If it's consumption, then it's probably up for debate. One person on a bike at (say) about 18 km/litre. In a car, 2+ people on average at (say) about 12 km/litre. Get where I'm coming from?

We accuse ACC of massaging statistics, but we need to be careful about ours too.

Carbon footprint includes manufacture. Don't forget to include constant 50% occupancy in the argument as well.

[pzkpfw]

Carbon footprint includes manufacture. Don't forget to include constant 50% occupancy in the argument as well.

minimum 50% occupancy.

[MarkH]

In a car, 2+ people on average at (say) about 12 km/litre. Get where I'm coming from?

2 people can travel in ONE car? I don't think many Aucklanders are aware of this concept!

[Madness]

Put a toll on for bikes. That'd just be another perfectly good reason to stay the hell out of Hazzard County.

[cowpatz]

Personally I don't give a toss about the Carbon footprint but others do and that is why I mentioned it. I think more people will be pissed when they have to wait behind a biker taking of his gloves etc to find the right change for the ticket machine.
Whether or not we choose to use the tunnel is a matter of choice. What I am concerned about is the AA actively campaigning against other road users.