Northern Gateway - motorbikes to pay $2 like a car

[MarkH]

ANd if the only benefit is the reduction in time (same for all vehicles) why are trucks penalised?

That is my main point exactly. If a car can use the road for less money than a truck then a bike should be able to use it for less money than a car/van. A van with 8 people in it towing a trailer with a boat on it pays $2, while a bike with 1 rider pays $2. Not only are more people benefiting for the $2 in the case of the van, but the van saves more time too, the bike can go through winding roads and up hills much quicker and easier than a van loaded with people and towing a boat.

Bikes get the same benefit? I don't think so!
Bikers are not slowed as much while using the old road and we actually get enjoyment from going through more corners. If more bikes take the old route and less use the tunnel that will prove that bikes really don't have as much to gain, not that anyone will change anything as a result.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/consultation...-consultation/

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.

Motorcyclists may benefit, but not equally! We don't save as much fuel, because we don't use as much. We don't save as much time because we can go over hills and around corners quicker. As far as the safer motorway is concerned - if we really cared about safer we would sell our bikes and buy Volvos.

[MarkH]

There is a statement on their website that the fees will be in place for 35 years and will be used as the source to establish further toll roads in the future.

I'm having trouble finding that, can you give a link?

[Swoop]

I'm having trouble finding that, can you give a link?

Mentioned multiple times in this document.
http://www.tollroad.govt.nz/Content/...eport-2009.pdf
"we are well positioned to achieve our targets and meet our debt obligations over the 35-year period."

[MarkH]

Mentioned multiple times in this document.
http://www.tollroad.govt.nz/Content/...eport-2009.pdf
"we are well positioned to achieve our targets and meet our debt obligations over the 35-year period."

Thanks for that - some interesting things in there. I like the list of costs to collect the toll:
Web $0.14
Kiosk $0.35
Phone $2.70

So if motorcyclists were to set up prepaid accounts or pay by web a fee of $1 would not be unreasonable. Obviously they need to look at what can be done about phone payments.

The last time I headed north I went up via a different route, I did come back through the Northern Gateway because it was free & I had a slow puncture that I was nursing. In future I hope to take a different route pretty much every time.

[Maha]

I still really dont see that there is an issue to discuss here.
The options will be,
1...pay and use the toll road
2...go another way.

[slofox]

The only thing I liked about using the tunnel was cranking it on through said tunnel with a Two Bros can on...

[Ferkletastic]

I still really dont see that there is an issue to discuss here.
The options will be,
1...pay and use the toll road
2...go another way.

What he said. All this talk of protesting/blocking the tunnell etc is pretty silly. A biker using the tunnel gets exactly the same benefit (quicker trip etc) as any other road user, we've been lucky not to have to payso far but there's no clear entitlement to be excluded.

Pay or go the other way (which is a nicer ride anyways), and stop ya whining.

Meanwhile ACC continues to be slowly dismantled.

[Maha]

The only thing I liked about using the tunnel was cranking it on through said tunnel with a Two Bros can on...

The Neptune sings like a choirboy on steroids at times.....its worth paying for!

[Maha]

What he said. All this talk of protesting/blocking the tunnell etc is pretty silly. A biker using the tunnel gets exactly the same benefit (quicker trip etc) as any other road user, we've been lucky not to have to payso far but there's no clear entitlement to be excluded.

Pay or go the other way (which is a nicer ride anyways), and stop ya whining.

Meanwhile ACC continues to be slowly dismantled.

Have you not seen this?
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...s-protest-ride

[Ferkletastic]

Have you not seen this?
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...s-protest-ride

I have indeed. I wasn't meaning that nothings being done about ACC, just that that is a better thing to be raging against than a $2 toll.

I've been on some of the protest rides, I'm hoping to make this one too.

[Maha]

I have indeed. I wasn't meaning that nothings being done about ACC, just that that is a better thing to be raging against than a $2 toll.

I've been on some of the protest rides, I'm hoping to make this one too.

Yeah $2?...its a laughable matter really......

[MarkH]

I still really dont see that there is an issue to discuss here.
The options will be,
1...pay and use the toll road
2...go another way.

I can't have a whinge on a forum? Since when!

I know I will have to just use one of those 2 options and put up with this shit, as I mentioned I would have happily accepted a $1 and also have a choice of the same 2 options.

Have you not seen this?
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...s-protest-ride

I'll probably head south and join Caseye's group at BP Papakura - as far as I know I am free this Saturday to go for a ride and blast the Stebel a bit.

[Maha]

I'll probably head south and join Caseye's group at BP Papakura - as far as I know I am free this Saturday to go for a ride and blast the Stebel a bit.

The Stebel will be most welcome on Queens st.

[Swoop]

Yeah $2?...its a laughable matter really......

Quite so... however:
This is the first toll road in NZ and as such will be the testing ground for future tolling around the country. Simply rolling over and accepting this without a fight will show "the authorities" that we are an easy target.
Showing the populace that we do not contribute the same amount of wear and tear to the road as a 4-wheeled vehicle, yet are expected to pay the same, is important.


Otherwise people should not be surprised when "additional" charges get placed on the roading system.

I don't see a protest as necessary, but a strong message that "bikers object"...

[Maha]

Quite so... however:
This is the first toll road in NZ and as such will be the testing ground for future tolling around the country. Simply rolling over and accepting this without a fight will show "the authorities" that we are an easy target.
Showing the populace that we do not contribute the same amount of wear and tear to the road as a 4-wheeled vehicle, yet are expected to pay the same, is important.


Otherwise people should not be surprised when "additional" charges get placed on the roading system.

I don't see a protest as necessary, but a strong message that "bikers object"...

There is a Toll road in Tauranga.

Show your objection by organising a mass biker-a-thon the day before the changes are to made.
Just ride the toll road the for a few hours, back and forth.
I do hope I see some sort of 'action' by those who oppose this $2 levy.