The NZ Transport Agency is encouraging people to open a toll account to make travelling on the soon to be opened Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road, and Route K as convenient as possible.
New electronic toll gantries will go live on both Tauranga roads in August and the NZTA is rolling out a range of options to make it as easy as possible to pay to travel on them.
The new Route K toll gantry. Photos: Bruce Barnard.
NZTA's access and use group manager Celia Patrick says the new look toll website is being launched in late-July, but people planning ahead can set up their toll account now and their details will be transferred over into the new system.
'The Transport Agency has been operating the Northern Gateway Toll Road for six years now and we have listened to what people want, and kept a close eye on tolling trends overseas to make travelling on these roads as easy as possible.
'There are a range of ways to pay your toll, however opening up an account is the most convenient. From late-July there will be three accounts to choose from, either automatic top up, manual top up, or monthly billing.”
Drivers can have multiple vehicles on one account and it will cover travel on all three of the NZTA's toll roads; the two in Tauranga and the Northern Gateway Toll Road.
Tauranga's new electronic toll points use the latest in tolling technology to capture images of the vehicles registration plates as people travel underneath.
'This technology allows drivers to travel straight through, just like on the Northern Gateway Toll Road. This will reduce travel time and provide a more predictable journey.”
People who have an account set up for the Northern Gateway Toll Road, north of Auckland don't need to do anything as their account will automatically be transferred into the new system.
Casual or infrequent users of the toll roads can pay for their toll online. Alternatively there will be the option to pay in person at selected BP and Caltex service stations by cash, debit or credit card.
A transaction fee of $1.20 to cover administration costs will apply to payments made at the service stations.
The easiest option for drivers is set up an online account or to pay tolls online with no administration fee at www.tollroad.govt.nz
13 comments
Easy is it?
Posted on 23-06-2015 13:46 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
So, an impromptu trip to the transfer station, McLaren's Falls, Kaimai requires a great deal of planning now. I will choose the alternative on principle.
For Whom The Tolls Toll
Posted on 23-06-2015 14:13 | By Disappointed
Is it not somewhat ironic that two of the three toll roads in New Zealand are located in Tauranga! Thanks for nothing Mr Bridges.
You.could.say.that. thanking the wrong person
Posted on 23-06-2015 15:15 | By Murray.Guy
It's Mayor Crosby you have to thank for this, NOT Simon Bridges. It was the local authorities that pushed for the Eastern Arterial to be brought forward by 5 years attracting the tolling regime to pay for $100m as the business case doesn't stack up, to support their millions in land holdings out that way. It was Mayor Crosby and mates that totally messed up on the timing, manipulated the business case, that saw Route K and Tolling a total fabrication and most unattractive to the NZTA. Excellent routes BUT corrupt processes. Nothing to do with Simon Bridges!
Total Chaos!!
Posted on 23-06-2015 15:23 | By Taffy
Motorcyclists haven,t had to pay on Route K since it opened they are now going to be charged same as a car $1.80 Thanks alot. Casual users are being ripped off.A return journey will cost you an extra $1.20 according to this article yet they only charge an xtra 0.40c up north.Secondly there are alot of people in Tauranga that don,t have access to a computer.Thidly if you don,t pay before hand you have only 5 days to pay otherwise they hit you with an admin fee of $4plus and if you ring up their call centre to pay they charge you as well. Lastly under TCC the road was estimated to be paid off by 2026.Has NZTA said anything about the tolls ceasing when it is paid off? Hope you all enjoy your smoother and quicker Rouke K journey I won,t be using it.
Both Drivers At Fault
Posted on 23-06-2015 17:30 | By Disappointed
'Tis true and well stated that Mayor Crosby is very much a player in the poor decisions that created the tolling scenario for these roads. What is "ironic" is that the local MP also happens to be the current Minister of Transport. Thanking Simon Bridges for nothing is simply a nod to the many who repeatedly ask what exactly has he done to benefit Tauranga? Pray tell... or should it be pay toll?
still a rip
Posted on 23-06-2015 17:41 | By What?
Do the sums. The toll on route k should only be 50 cents. It is simply not economically viable at more than that. Using Cambridge road is cheaper and only takes one to two minutes longer.
Open Mind
Posted on 23-06-2015 17:45 | By blast4u
I use the road a lot for personal and business needs with motorbike's, car's & trailers and heavy transport. It's your choice if you want to spend longer going through urban roads. Remember that these roads are extra to what we had before and offers you an alternative. Toll roads are great because its user pays so if you don't use it, it costs you nothing. I would like to see more toll roads in NZ as it keeps the traffic volumes down and I can get to where I want to go much quicker. Bring them on I say.
AND
Posted on 23-06-2015 21:27 | By The Caveman
what about the elderly local drivers that don't have a computer that use the TOLL routs without actually realising that is a toll route (BET YOU THE TOLL SIGNAGE IS SO SMALL THAT IT WILL NOT BE NOTICABLE) - the $1.80 will suddenly $50 ...................
thanks
Posted on 23-06-2015 23:46 | By Wonkytonk
just like to say thanks NZTA, the road is great for all those in Papomoa who would otherwise be using that old road. Tolls are just a part of modern life, get used to it coz its the future.
Robots replace humans
Posted on 24-06-2015 07:48 | By Minni_mum
I am disgusted that once again people have been replaced by a system. I will not be using that road once the toll operators finish, on principal.
@ blast4u
Posted on 24-06-2015 08:36 | By Captain Sensible
"user pays"...we all pay high tax rates, PAYE, GST, ridiculous council rates with GST on top, and a host of other hidden taxes (eg registration, licence, WOF, petrol tax, etc etc). We paid for the harbour bridge many times over in tolls. Why should we pay AGAIN to use a road we have paid for many times? Simon Bridges' sole purpose is as a yes-man for his beloved leader. No use to us here.
@AND
Posted on 24-06-2015 09:35 | By Rate1
As the article says - you can pay at BP or Caltex if you don't have a computer. Plus as it is already a toll road, I can't see how "elderly" people will get confused that it isn't. If you don't like it, then don't use it - it's that simple!!! I totally agree with "Open Mind" - bring on more toll roads in NZ. If you travel to Europe, toll roads there have existed for years.
caveman
Posted on 24-06-2015 10:04 | By maccachic
If the elderly you speak of are not aware they are using a toll road they shouldn't be driving our roads.
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