Northern Gateway - motorbikes to pay $2 like a car

**CalNZ** · 18th November 2009, 15:10

Hey, as I said, I do not object to paying (in fact my own submission is in favour of paying at a reasonable rate). What argument about inconvenience of gear? And the point was that bikes are cheaper to run than cars, not that anyone has bought one purely for environment reason - this post was about people getting their submissions in before it closes and about the way in which the consultation is being handled (on their webpage and in the papers) - specifically separating bikes from "regular" motorists - my point is precisely about not receiving "special treatment" or being singled out when on my bike rather than my car. The timing and wording is what I have issue with, not the requirement to pay (which appears inevitable, so why consult?)

Originally Posted by AllanB

No reason at all why motorcycles should not pay - after all it is a TOLL road. You can debate the amount you have to pay (2 wheels half the car payment?) but the argument of inconvenience due to gear is irrelevant as you may prepay or pay online in arrears. And don't start the bikes are better for the enviroment crap - when's the last time you ever heard someone purchase a motorcycle for that reason?

Don't lets get too precious now, although some believe God rides a Harley, Joe Public will quickly drop any anti ACC support they have for us if we start expecting special treatment.

**Squiggles** · 18th November 2009, 15:26

Originally Posted by AllanB

(2 wheels half the car payment?)

Anything less than the car payment and they might start losing money on having us pay

**TRIUMPHSROCK675** · 18th November 2009, 15:46

i say who cares about paying or not paying for the toll road. the important thing is if you going that way that you stop at puhoi pub

**CalNZ** · 18th November 2009, 18:01

Just thought everyone should know about the submission process but as TR675 says - there is an attractive alternate route

Originally Posted by TRIUMPHSROCK675

i say who cares about paying or not paying for the toll road. the important thing is if you going that way that you stop at puhoi pub

**Pixie** · 18th November 2009, 18:04

Originally Posted by AllanB

No reason at all why motorcycles should not pay - after all it is a TOLL road. You can debate the amount you have to pay (2 wheels half the car payment?) but the argument of inconvenience due to gear is irrelevant as you may prepay or pay online in arrears. And don't start the bikes are better for the enviroment crap - when's the last time you ever heard someone purchase a motorcycle for that reason?

Don't lets get too precious now, although some believe God rides a Harley, Joe Public will quickly drop any anti ACC support they have for us if we start expecting special treatment.

Can't pay in cash on the NTW

**short-circuit** · 18th November 2009, 18:49

How are you all enjoying your new government so far?

Don't like taxation? Here's the alternative

**outlawtorn** · 23rd November 2009, 13:51

Short notice I know, but get your thoughts in as soon as possible. The closing date for feedback is Friday 27 November 2009.

From the NZTA Website:

The NZ Transport Agency would like to hear your views on whether motorcyclists should pay a toll to use the toll road, just like other motorists.

Everyone who uses the toll road enjoys the benefits of the straighter, quicker route. Motorcyclists equally benefit from the shorter travel time, safer motorway and fuel cost savings.

Up until now, motorcyclists have not been charged to use New Zealand’s first fully electronic toll road. However, the NZTA is considering whether it will be fairer for everyone if a toll is charged to motorcyclists when they use the road as well. The toll would likely be the same as for other motorists. This is currently set at $2 each way.

We are now consulting with the public on whether motorcyclists should be charged a toll if they choose to use the toll road. After considering the results from this consultation, the NZTA will make a decision on whether to toll motorcycles and if so, what would be an appropriate toll. This decision is expected to be made early next year.

Anyone can make a submission, whether you are a motorcyclist, a regular motorist, or just someone who wishes to contribute to this consultation.

Go to their website now and put in your submission!

**Ixion** · 23rd November 2009, 13:58

Yep. Is on list

The original post about this, a couple of years ago was

Hi
If you have been watching the LTSA were going to charge bike $2 to use the the new motorway extention however about 2 years ago this was not the position so i challenged the turnaround in policy and they have now reversed the charge and it free! http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/tol...ll-tariff.html
it pays to attend public submissions and thanks to the ltsa for not reneageing on our agreement

By redstar. Does redstar (or anyone else) know anything about that "agreement"

And what arguments can we muster for going free

Take up less space
Less wear and tear
Environmentally positive
Safety (alternative route more dangerous for motorcycles, gosh, I wonder if ACC would support us ?)

Main one I think is simple. If trucks are charged more, motorcyclists in fairness should be charged less

And a $1 charge is not economically effective to collect. We'd be costing them money

**MarkH** · 23rd November 2009, 14:38

Originally Posted by Ixion

Main one I think is simple. If trucks are charged more, motorcyclists in fairness should be charged less

And a $1 charge is not economically effective to collect. We'd be costing them money

This seems fair - why don't they become so efficient at collecting tolls that they can do it at a cost of 20c or less for each toll collected, once they achieve that then they can get back to us with a $1 charge per motorcycle. I would have no problem with that!

**yachtie10** · 23rd November 2009, 16:45

Originally Posted by Ixion

Yep. Is on list

Take up less space (dont see relevance)
Less wear and tear (very relevant, big argument for reduced price)
Environmentally positive (too some not sure if it will make a difference)
Safety (alternative route more dangerous for motorcycles, gosh, I wonder if ACC would support us ?)

ACC might think as we are 16 times more likely to have a crash in the tunnel we should pay more than cars

Main one I think is simple. If trucks are charged more, motorcyclists in fairness should be charged less (totally agree)

And a $1 charge is not economically effective to collect. We'd be costing them money

absolutely

If they do put this in place I wont use the tunnel but if I did in the car I would pay individually for each one way journey by ringing their 0800 number from my cellphone. Apparently it costs nearly $3 that way

**Dealer** · 23rd November 2009, 16:53

Sure it would be nice to use it for free, but our whole argument with ACCi s that we want to be classed the same as cars.
If thats the case, I would rather pay $2 to use the toll road than $800 to use my bike. Besides, the route through Waiwera is much funner anyhow.

**MarkH** · 23rd November 2009, 17:35

Originally Posted by Dealer

Sure it would be nice to use it for free, but our whole argument with ACCi s that we want to be classed the same as cars.
If thats the case, I would rather pay $2 to use the toll road than $800 to use my bike. Besides, the route through Waiwera is much funner anyhow.

How we are classed with ACC is not relevant to how we are tolled on a toll road. Half as many wheels, less than half the road wear - more than $1 is unjustifiable!

**Swoop** · 23rd November 2009, 18:32

This "combined" thread appears to have conclusive evidence that the search button is broken...

**CalNZ** · 24th November 2009, 09:06

Hi all, the new rate (if there is one) is not set in stone yet -

See http://www.nzta.govt.nz/consultation/index.html for more on submissions, and http://www.nzta.govt.nz/consultation...ion/index.html in particular on the Northern Gateway Toll for motorcycles... so you can still have your say until the end of this week whatever your opinion is on tolling (and how much) or not tolling!