Toll mooted for motorways

Mayor Len Brown has released plans for a $2 toll to enter Auckland’s motorways. The charge, which may vary by time of day, is one of two options to fill a $12 billion funding gap. The second is a rates rise of about one per cent a year on top of ordinary increases and an annual fuel tax of about 1.2 cents per litre. Brown says: “Aucklanders tell me every day we need to fix this city’s transport problems. I know a basic network isn’t good enough, so let’s discuss it and decide if and how much we are prepared to pay to fix the problems.” Two reports have been released by an independent alternative funding group. Group chairman Stewart Milne says Aucklanders want something done about the transport system. The council will consult residents from January on the two options, although the government will have to approve fuel taxes and the tolling of existing state highways. There are two user-charge options. The first is a flat rate of $2 from 6am-7pm on weekdays and $1 from 6am-7pm at weekends. Nights are free. The second has variable weekday charges from $1.30 from 10am-3pm, $2 on the shoulder, and $2.80 from 7am-9am and 4pm-6pm. A $1.30 charge would apply at weekends from 6am-7pm with nights free. Transport Minister Simon Bridges says Auckland Council is welcome to debate about future transport plans, but the government remains sceptical about options presented. “Auckland must have a system that meets the demands of its growing population and we’re committed to working with the council to help make sure it succeeds,” he says. “This is why the government is spending more than ever before to help build the city’s transport network – around a billion dollars a year. “Large projects like the Waterview Connection, widening of the North Western Motorway, electrification of commuter rail, and acceleration of motorway projects on the Northern and Southern Corridors will make a big difference. “But we remain sceptical about the options presented and whether the programme proposed will alleviate congestion. Aucklanders would need a sense of what results they are getting and whether projects deliver value for money. They also need to have the discussion about how much more Aucklanders are prepared to pay.” Bridges says rates are a matter for the council, but the government is unsupportive of new taxes, such as a regional fuel tax or raising the national tax to benefit one region. If Auckland Council is to convince the public to pay more to develop projects, it must focus the funding debate on the benefits to users, says the AA. Spokesman Barney Irvine says there’s still uncertainty around the public’s readiness to take on extra costs. “When Auckland AA members are asked to choose between a motorway toll and an increase in rates and fuel taxes, there’s a preference for the toll,” he says. “But overshadowing this is concern about the impact on household budgets any new costs will have.”