NZ Transport Agency Media Release

6 October 2009

Northern Gateway Toll Road operating report available

Detailed information on the first half year of operations of the Northern Gateway Toll Road is now available in a report published earlier today on the NZ Transport Agency website.

The report provides performance results for the toll road through to 30 June 2009, representing just over five months of operations.

NZTA Regional Director for Auckland and Northland Wayne McDonald said while there had been many challenges to overcome, overall the road’s performance had exceeded expectations.

“Demand for the road has been strong and compliance levels are high. Customers have recognised the road’s benefits and are willing to pay for safer and more reliable journeys between Auckland and Northland,” Mr McDonald said.

Key findings of the report for the period ending 30 June 2009 include:

• Overall use of the road was eight percent higher than forecast, with more than 1.9 million trips recorded.

• Seventy-three percent of motorists chose to use the toll road over the free alternative route on SH17 – higher than the target of 70%.

• The overall compliance level for toll payments was over 94%, in line with projections.

• As at 30 June over 33,000 customers had opened pre-paid accounts – three times as many as anticipated. By 30 June half of all trips on the toll road were being taken by pre-paid account holders, twice the proportion expected.

• The toll system achieved a successful automatic number plate recognition rate of over 99%.

• All of the NZTA’s debt repayment obligations are being met.

Mr McDonald said the high usage of the road in the first five months of operation was especially notable given that early use of new toll roads overseas has often been lower than forecast.

“The strong demand for the road and the high level of compliance are a testament to the benefits it offers to motorists. Having achieved our initial goal of getting motorists to use the toll road, we’re now concentrating on refining and improving the toll collection system. We’ve learned from the challenges we faced early on and we’re responding to customer needs.”

Mr McDonald said improvements would include upgrading the road’s self-service kiosks to make them easier and faster to use, improvements to the toll road website to make online payments easier, and continued promotion of the benefits of pre-paid accounts.

To download a copy of the Northern Gateway Toll Road Operating Report for the period to 30 June 2009, go to www.nzta.govt.nz.

ENDS