Motorcyclists to pay tolls on northern motorway

[Mr Merde]

From todays Herald

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=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/sh...=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:Me]

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.