No to tolling WRR, get it done by 2015

No to tolling WRR, get it done by 2015

Road Transport Companies finally got some good news with the rejection of Transits Toll proposal by Aucklanders.

In a week that has seen the Government drain $59million off the bottom line of Truckies through increased Road tax then add 2-2.5% to their wage bills through an extra weeks holiday for all staff, announcement of another tax on a tax would have broken the camels back for Transport Companies.

“ Freight Operators have taken a massive hit on their bottom lines over the past 5 days so the rejection of Tolling by Aucklander’s has been the one bright light on a pretty miserable week.” Says National Road Carriers Executive Director Bruce Reid.

The Industry endorse the findings of the Consultation with the bulk of respondents believing that taxes have already paid for the Roads.

However Mr Reid states, “There are two major concerns to come out of the Transit announcement, the first is the reference to “binging forward the completion of the Western Ring Route”. This corridor has been planned since the 1960’s and more recently had completion dates moved from 2007 to 2020 then back to 2015. The completion date was not subject to Tolling and can be completed with the 5 year funding guarantee in last years budget. Transit and Government should not be allowed to hide behind this decision in further delaying this vital piece of Auckland’s Transport Corridor.”

The second concern was a comment made by Transit Board Members, that Auckland Congestion has leveled off.
“There has been no leveling off of congestion. Some companies have lost a trip a day to congestion since the start of the year. The peaks are longer and the reliability of key corridors have reduced. All this adds to the cost of delivery and will be passed on to the customers and ultimately drive up inflation.”

The message from the Trucking Industry to Transit and Government is just get on with it and give us the infrastructure we have paid for. An extra $59million per year has been taken off the Industry through last Sundays Road User Charge increase let’s not see it wasted on further studies and consultation that gives the same answer, build it, build it now and build it fast before Auckland Economy is gridlocked.

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National Road Carriers (Inc) Overview

National Road Carriers was formed in 1936 as the Auckland Owner Drivers Association, is an Auckland based Transport Association with 2800 Members Nationwide, 1800 of these Members carry out business in Auckland. The majority of these running businesses transporting freight by road.

95% of the Members of National Road Carriers operate with 5 vehicles or less.
80% of the Members of National Road Carriers are single vehicle operators.
The Association is actively involved with providing advocacy on behalf of Members, with the goal to improving the life of those who choose to earn a living with a vehicle. National Road Carriers represents Members on local issues and Nationally through membership to the Road Transport Forum.

National Road Carriers Members ability to earn a living is at risk because of the congested roads of Auckland.

We are a demand driven industry. As Auckland has grown the demand for just in time goods has increased but the infrastructure to meet this demand has failed to keep pace.

ENDS

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