Motorists Unlikely To Accept Road Pricing Options

17 March 2006

Motorists Unlikely To Accept Road Pricing Options

"The AA is pleased the Auckland Road Pricing Evaluation Study has been undertaken and the results made public for motorists to consider. However, we don't think Auckland motorists are likely to accept the options outlined in the study," says AA spokesperson Simon Lambourne.

"Auckland motorists are already paying more money through petrol tax than is currently being spent on the roads. It's a big ask to now suggest they pay $10 a day extra to park their car and $6 a day extra to drive around the city. Road pricing could cost individual motorists $2,000 to $2,500 extra a year if adopted."

"The study is all about pricing motorists out of their cars, off the roads and onto public transport."

"The study's consultation process allows motorists to have their say on the options. The AA will analyse the 350 page study and make a submission. We encourage Auckland motorists to also make their views known."

Mr Lambourne says "the road pricing study has revealed for the first time the very high costs of installing and running a tolling system in Auckland - between $700 million and $900 million over 20 years. That's an enormous amount of money being spent on administration."

"The AA does not support raising revenue by tolling existing roads. We believe the Government needs to explore other options to fund the region's roading projects, such as through infrastructure bonds. The AA is keen to work with the Government on this issue."

ENDS