Are you going to pay for the new Toll Road?

[Ixion]

Its hugely accurate. They have used the same technology in London for years - first with the "Ring of Steel" around the city, and now with conjestion charging.

I'd bet that they are well, well covered.

With bikes though? They don't pay the congestion charge .

[Big Dave]

There has been a numberplate scanning scheme in operation is Aus for a decade. Checkpoints on Route 1 record the passing of heavy vehicles and if they show up at the next checkpoint before the legal requirements for sleep and rest have been met they send out the interceptors to check the log books and the fines are heavy.

It isn't used on passenger vehicles

[Slyer]

10,000 posts^^

[SeppoDave]

Despite their high tech cameras I suspect that bikes would be hard to pickup.

We cannot be relied on to be central in the lane, our plates are often on an angle , are at oddball heights and so on. Not to mention that we may not be going in a straight line when we go past the cameras.

I'm sure that they will have discussed the question of bikes at the planning stages. And, I suspect, concluded "Well, let's just charge them. Probably a fair percentage will evade the toll and get away with it, but that's still a small absolute number. Easier not to have exceptions". Then when we complained they decided "Oh well, in dollars terms they amount to bugger all. Let it go".

Nobody has mentioned trailers. The system relies on automated matching of plate numbers (read the plates as the go past, have the puter match those numbers with the numbers of people who paid , spit out a list of non matches). But surely a trailer will break it. The toll will be paid on the car but no toll will be paid on the trailer? Or do they charge a separate toll for the trailer? What about B trains, surely they must pay for the trailer?

I wonder how accurate this electronic matching of numbers will be anyway.

1. As long as the plate is visible, the cameras pick up bikes just fine, no matter where in the lane the bike is. It was tested with bikes, cars, truck and trailers, in all kinds of configurations. Tailgating, crossing from one lane to another, etc. and the system is surprisingly accurate.

2. I'm baffled as well. It was a big shock when we found out that bikes wouldn't be charged. Up until the end of November, the signs were being made with motorcycles = $2.00 on them. It may have something to do with a similar policy in Tauranga.

3. Trailers attached to cars incur no additional fee. $2.00 for all cars regardless. Trucks are charged at $4.00 no matter if they are rigid or articulated or doubles.

4. Very accurate. The technology isn't new. If the computer can't decipher the number (which isn't often), a human operator looks at it.

You guys will have to try the new motorway at least once, it's pretty amazing to look at. After all, it's free!

Cheers!

DTY

[Tank]

With bikes though? They don't pay the congestion charge .

Indeed - what I was refering to was the technology to read the plate itself.

[Swoop]

Despite their high tech cameras I suspect that bikes would be hard to pickup.

I wonder how Kiwis will view this first foray into the world of "toll roads". We have lived with bridges... but roads?
I imagine a busy time for the bill-sender people.

[Slyer]

Well there is a massive bridge along that road so you could just that the toll is for the bridge.

[Howsie]

I went past the new road today and i must say i am looking forward to going through those tunnels, will probably drop it a gear or two just for good measure. Then once the novelty has worn off it will be great going over SH1 through all those twisties with minimal traffic.

Got caught behind an oversize truck with a bulldozer on the back on the very first hill heading north from Orewa, didnt get past it until the 2nd passing lane just before the tunnels. Most frustrating travelling at 20-30kmph through those windy bits.

Must get work to set up an account for that toll road for my trips up north...

[Hiflyer]

Must get work to set up an account for that toll road for my trips up north...

Meh im just gunna stop of for lunch at the motorway which they forgot about!

i doubt there will be minimal traffic on the old road tho

[Qkchk:Me]

Ok, so the new toll road is opening on the 25th Jan.

Happened to go past it on Saturday (250cc Northern Ride) and they have some interesting signs up before the new stretch.

Motorcycles = $0.00
Cars = $2.00
Heavy Trucks = $4.00


So it seems the Northern Gateway has woken up to the reality of bikers covering plates or they have realised we do not warrant being charged $1 or 2.

This sign has been backed up by visiting the website and it seems all motorcyclists WILL NOT have to pay to use the new gateway! However, they have added: "The toll for motorcycles is currently set at zero but is subject to review."

[HungusMaximist]

Sweet, can't wait to try out the new tunnel when it opens up on the 25th!

Wicked that it's free for motorcycles!

[EJK]

Free for now!

[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!