Business Panel Supports Tolling Auckland’s Existing Motorway Network

Auckland Council’s Business Advisory Panel has voiced a single preference on the 10 proposed alternative transport funding options* that have been out for public consultation to help bridge the region’s huge transport funding gap.

Last week the Panel met at the Employers & Manufacturers’ Association and after presentations resolved to support in principle the option of 'network charging' across Auckland's entire motorway system, allowing for variable pricing at peak and non-peak times.

Chair of the Business Advisory Panel, Cameron Brewer, says the network charging option seems to be gaining momentum from the business sector as arguably the fairest, the most likely one to generate significant revenue to close the $11.7b transport funding gap, influence driver behaviour, and improve Auckland's economic performance.

“It has been a long time coming, but it’s great that the various alternative transport funding options have been out for public feedback. The Business Advisory Panel supported the Mayor leading this public debate from the outset.

“After looking at the 10 options the Panel’s preference is decisive and singular, and we trust we’ll be heard. We appreciate that a network charge would cost most Aucklanders a few dollars a week, but doing nothing costs the region at least $1.3b every year in wasted time, productivity and fuel,” says Mr Brewer.

*The 10 alternative transport funding options out for consultation in the ‘Getting Auckland Moving - Alternative Funding for Transport’ document were: General rates, targeted rates, development contributions, tax increment financing, new regional fuel tax and road user charge/diesel levy, tolling new roads, road pricing on existing roads, additional car parking charges, visitor taxes, and an airport departure tax.

The resolution passed by the Business Advisory Panel: ‘That of the Auckland Council’s 10 alternative transport funding options, the Business Advisory Panel prefers in principle the option of network charging for the whole of the Auckland motorway network including variable charging, and notes that this scheme has huge potential to lift Auckland’s economic performance’.

ENDS

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