Get ready for the return of toll booths

[Skyryder]

When the harbour bridge toll booths were taken out, the crime rate went up on the shore.
I wonder if it will go down if re-introduced?

That's the other side of the equation. Road tolls, then the next step is private roads and communites like they do in the states. No doubt that crime is reduced in such areas but not in the ones that most of us will be living in.

Skyryder

[Waxxa]

I am absolutely against any road tolls, any where in the country, nth or sth islands. Tolls is a crock!!

The roads that are being built are of NATIONAL IMPORTANCE to allow our economy to benefit the best it can by lower transport costs for ALL.

We've been paying 'road tax' for years with our fuel price, and where has all that monies gone? Towards other Govt. projects other than what the tax was intended for!

Screw the tolls!! If it means going the existing way, I'll go that way instead. I'm on a motorbike, I take up very little room on the road, my vehicle weighs stuff all to damage the roads so i refuse to pay.

[xwhatsit]

This is horseshit. I'm already paying for roads from my registration, from taxes in the petrol I buy, and from my income tax. How the hell do they get off charging me again? `Public Rights of Way' my arse.

[Quasievil]

We've been paying 'road tax' for years with our fuel price, and where has all that monies gone? Towards other Govt. projects other than what the tax was intended for!

That money in part has gone to the B grade goat tracks we drive on freely every day, they will always be there, these will be mostly by pass roads that will be funded via tolls. You can refuse to pay thats no prob, you will go on the B grade road, we will go the toll road and be onto our third beer before you turn up flustered angry and road raged.
you choose

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

This thread discusses the Content article: PM hits out at National's roading plans

But Miss Clark today said toll roads would suck up any money people gained from National's promised larger-than-Labour tax cuts.

Well at least under National I may get a tax cut... and then more importantly I get the choice where I spend it... If I wish to use the new road cool no problem... if I choose to use public transport (Shudders at the thought) then no problem, and if I choose to use another road the my choice...

In the states, most the the new freeways are tolled (well in florida anyway) and you only pay when you use it...

If I don't use Aucklands motorway why should I have to pay for it... When I visit auckland again (Another shudder) then I am willing to pay for the motorway

Why should I pay the same amount as in for roading if I only do 10 000km a year with no tax break as someone doing 100 000 km a year, who probably got a tax break :dry:

I'm all for user pays and not just for roading either.

[Devil]

Those that are against tolls because of the money argument and what has been done with the money in the past, think of it this way:

They have to build the road to toll it. So you KNOW that the road will be built, and wont have the cash diverted off somewhere else.

I'm all for them building better roads. This is what has to happen for all the roading projects to get done.

[Clockwork]

Once you are used to putting your hands in your pockets to use new roads you can expect tolls in the form of "congestion charging" to appear on the old roads.

And if people don't use the privately funded toll roads beacuse there is a free alternative you can expect that sooner or later the private owners/investors will preasure local/national governments to make the free roads less desirable somehow (lowering speed limits perhaps or introducing choke points, traffic calming etc) And of course the local gonverments will have to comply else the next time we need a new road built the private investors will not want to particiate.

Its the start of a slippery slope I tells ya!!

Oh and don't expect any discounts on your petrol taxes and road fund licences!

[Skyryder]

Once you are used to putting your hands in your pockets to use new roads you can expect tolls in the form of "congestion charging" to appear on the old roads.

And if people don't use the privately funded toll roads beacuse there is a free alternative you can expect that sooner or later the private owners/investors will preasure local/national governments to make the free roads less desirable somehow (lowering speed limits perhaps or introducing choke points, traffic calming etc) And of course the local gonverments will have to comply else the next time we need a new road built the private investors will not want to particiate.

Its the start of a slippery slope I tells ya!!

Oh and don't expect any discounts on your petrol taxes and road fund licences!

I'm reminded of the time when ATM cards were first introduced. Transactions were free. Once the cards were 'embedded' into the public psyche then came the charges. Same thing will happen with road user charges. At first it will be new roads then introduced to pay for upgrades on existing highways.

Williamson has quoted that some will be have to pay up to $50 a week. English has denied this. So who do you believe, Williamson will no doubt become Minister of Transport and would have at least some idea of charges due to his policy import or English who tells the public one thing and privately another.

Skyryder

[Clockwork]

Ooh. and those speed cameras that were only going to snap the 15th percentile!

But we're being too cynical. Tomorrow's politicans are so much more trustworthy, yeah?

[Flatcap]

Williamson has quoted that some will be have to pay up to $50 a week. English has denied this. So who do you believe, Williamson will no doubt become Minister of Transport and would have at least some idea of charges due to his policy import or English who tells the public one thing and privately another.

Depends how many toll roads you use...

[SPman]

Toll roads - OK if they are new roads to be built and are not the only main access to a place.
But, retrospective tolls on existing roads, especially major arteries like the harbour bridge, where there are no viable alternative routes, is a major "shaft the public, they can't do fuck all about it" exercise!
Apart from paying for something that's already been paid for!
Blatant hypocrisy by whoever does it!

[Waxxa]

Qauasi "we will go the toll road and be onto our third beer before you turn up flustered angry and road raged."

Interesting Quasi, 'cause you guys will be stuck at the 'choke point', the tolls! (and a boring ride on a motorway).

And NighthawkNZ, do you really believe that money from around the country outside of Auckland is paying for Auckland roads? Get real!!

Its Aucklands economy that builds roading projects (and other major infrastructure) around NZ, north and south island! And why should anyone who visits Auckland and its region should have to pay to get around the roads, or any region. Its called domestic travel, which is being chopped at the knees by fuel prices alone. Domestic travel which feeds our tourism industry. Jobs!

The local authorities arent even providing a viable public transport option for the public as an alternative! (particularly Auckland, I think the services in Welly and Chch are quite good arent they?)

Oh, and another thing. Why arent these major projects being done 24x7 instead of this bullshit 8x5, with the cost of steel, concrete, fuel going up continuously, GET THE JOB DONE to keep costs at minimum level, so the constuction companies dont go into over-run (which they know they will) and why THEY say that for a 'road' to be built will require a toll.

The savings that are made because our goods can get around easier and cheaper, people are getting to their workplace on time hence more productivity, is the equation to look at and these projects pay for themselves over time. Why save on transport costs only to pay a toll on your goods when you drive your vehicle?

They start tolling one road then all other roads will start being tolled under the guise of maintenance and upkeep.
Where does our taxes from fuel charges come in and diesel road user charges come in?

[Squiggles]

Id be more concerned how much of the toll they put on actually goes towards roading and not towards paying for the tolling system

[Mr Merde]

That money in part has gone to the B grade goat tracks we drive on freely every day, they will always be there, these will be mostly by pass roads that will be funded via tolls. You can refuse to pay thats no prob, you will go on the B grade road, we will go the toll road and be onto our third beer before you turn up flustered angry and road raged.
you choose

Where in NZ are these B grade roads, which area has had an upgrade to this mythological grade (here in NZ any way)

After 25 years in the UK and Europe then 6 years back here I havent seen a road in NZ that would comes near a B grade, more likely C to get C grade.

[SPman]

Well at least under National I may get a tax cut... ...

If the government gives you a tax cut, and then rips it straight back by making you pay more for roads, schools, and hospitals, are you really better off?