http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10118561

For those living on the north shore the reality of road tolls is soon to set in and will last for 30 years.

The proposal is $2 per way, less than I would have made it but it should ease traffic and assist in funding road construction so I am in support of it.

it will not be ready for another 4 years, by that time congestion will be much worse.

This isnt really going to affect many Aucklanders, but it is a start.

Nope it wont.
And guess what.... it would take them 30years to pay it off if they keep it at $2.

and this why I say the amount should be higher. User pays! :clap:

Another sad point is if you go and actually look at the construction going on, a lot of native bush is being sacrificed for the road. The locals are none too pleased and they probably dont even know that its planned to be tolled (while they will most probably be the primary users)

As long as the money they are getting from that toll is going to be used for that area and that road system, that is fine. But, I disagree with charging those people on that road and then using the money to improve the roads, say, in South Auckland. As long as I know that that money is going to the right place I think its a good idea.
But, then again, its doesn't really affect me, except on the once every 2 years I head in that direction

I really think that the major roadways should be tolled - the ones that have major problems and that are heavily conjested all the time - like the Southern for one. The harbour bridge is another. This would majorily affect me, but I see it has being a benefit. The only problem is that there isn't really an alternative route. To have a fair tolling system there needs to be 2 routes - the shorter or better route should be the tolled one. Therefore there is always the not-so-good route that you can take if you dont like the idea of handing over a $1 or $2 coin.

But, to help with conjestion there definitely needs to be a better system than toll-booths. That will be the opposite affect. So, unless we can arrange a system like Singapore then we're screwing the system both ways... exciting!

Can't wait to see how this goes down with the locals.

And the area - OMG! I went horse riding near the construction over the weekend and it was heart breaking. It really looks awful... and I'm unconvinced with the necessity of that road...

I've written enough rambling...
That will do for this hour!

correct me if I am wrong but isn't it older people who live in the newly tolled area. And correct me if I'm wrong but old people don't work and so therefore they don't contribute to congestion.

It would be better to have a toll on th southern motorway, harbour bridge, eastern areas and western areas as well.

I think the whole of auckland should pay, anyone who drives past a toll. People in other parts of the country have paid for too long and its time for a change.

Agreed.
The people in that area are mainly farm-types, older people or those trying to get away from the hussle of Auckland - and now they'll be punished for the "crimes".
Agreed on the whole of Auckland paying. I know I'll bitch and complain when/if it happens, but I'm bitching and complaining about the traffic problems and the crappy roads anyways, so I guess it won't change. As long as the money actually gets used for the roads and not to line someone's back pocket I'll be happy!

or because of the low car usage it just won't make money in which the whole venture is a waste of time and money. The tolls need to be north and south, not in some place where nobody comes from anyway.

Ah, it would so be nice if they actually thought through all their wonderful plans - you know, actually thought them through and not pretend to over a few doughnuts and coffee!
Its not that hard...

But then again, they probably have some "justified" reason for sticking it all the way in the middle of nowhere!

well you would think that of politicians but it seems it is always the university students who come up with the good ideas.

I'll try and get into their heads, by having it in the middle of nowhere it will keep people froom North Auckalnd out of Auckland. Maybe people will try to get jobs in their area therefore congestion will decrease.

No, there is no logic in this decision, it needs to be the harbour bridge and it needs to be the southern motorway otherwise there i just no point to it.

The planners don't think things through and they are wasting more rate payers money. It is bad enough that rates have increased considerably let alone the money not being used for what it was intended.

What happened to the eastern motorway plan?

A good friend of mine travels through there nearly everyweekend, i think road tolls are uncalled for. Whats the point of paying taxes if we cant travel for free on the roads... :frustrated:

why should the rest of the country pay for Auckland roads? What about those citizens in Auckland who don't drive, are you saying we should pay for you to drive which causes pollution, congestion etc?

I support road tolls but then again I don't drive because of congestion.

The message isn't getting through, if it hits the pocket there is a chance of it getitng through.

Also the ARC clearly doesn't have enough money to update roads based on rate payers money so they have to generate the money from somewhere.

didnt the government have a 6 billion surplus or something really stupid like that?

yes but explain to me why you think that the rest of the country should pay for auckland roads when they don't use them.

because taxes are for the good of the country, what would NZ be without auckland? Nothing!

I disagree with that answer. Don't get me wrong, I love Auckland and many a time I have coined the phrase "nz is nothing without auckland" but I don't think the rest of the country should be forced to pick up the pieces, as they are at this point in time.

Its time that aucklanders took some responsibility and realised that if they want better roading they paid for them. There is only so much that people can put up with. Quite frankly the rest of the country has had enough of paying for roads in Auckland that they don't use.

THink of it this way, would you like to pay for roads down in invercargill? I don't think you would, because you don't use them.

Invercargill is hardly the commerce capital of NZ. NZ is nothing without Auckland. NZ without invercargill hardly makes a difference. A better example would be wellington, in which case u might be more inclined to pitch in since it is the capital.

I see your point, I really do.

people in other parts of the country earn less so it is harder to make ends meet. Adding a petrol tax only makes thi harder again.

This is what I am getting at, they are not as well off as people in certain areas of Auckland.

They have made a conscious decision not to live in Auckland.

The problem is not within the money generated in Auckland, the problem is with the attachment to cars, this has nothing to do with the rest of the country so they should not pay.

I have lived in Christchurch and Auckland and Auckland is far superior, I have no problem in paying for other cities roading as long as it is needed. For me the issue is where it is needed the most, dont know about you guys but taking 2 hours to travel a normal 20minute journey is a problem

enuf said. Time for some action.

The highest national average wage is in Wellington, actually.

Sheesh, which area of Auckland do you live in?

The longest I ever have to travel to get into the city is either 20 minutes by bus or 45 minutes by foot.

So are you implying Acrowley that as a result the Wellingtonians should pay for Auckland roading? Well they are a bit spoilt down there with clean paving, roads and the roads are wide as well.

I concur. Auckland has the worst fucken traffic in the world. You can get around NYC faster and our population is small fry next to theirs.

No I'm implying that your sweeping generalisation is incorrect, perhaps qualify it with SOME in future.