The NZ Transport Agency is reminding customers that changes which will make it easier to use the Northern Gateway Toll Road north of Auckland will come into effect this week.
From July 31, customers can expect a new look, easier to use website, a new prepaid account option and easier cash payment channel.
To enable the switch over from the old tolling system to the new one, customers won’t be able to make any transactions or manage their accounts from 8pm on the 29th of July until 12.01am on July 31.
The cameras on the toll gantry will still be working so when the system comes back online, any journeys made during the switch over will be captured and assigned to your account or against your pre-purchased tolls as usual. If you don’t have an account or pre-purchased tolls you will be able to pay your toll online or over the counter from 31 July.
Please note: because of the length of the system shut down, there may be some delay in customers seeing their tolls on the website or their tolls being available for payment. We expect the majority of customers to be able see and pay for their tolls by Saturday 1 August at the latest.
Customers who go to the www.tollroad.govt.nz(external link) website will be redirected to our new and improved tolling pages on the NZ Transport Agency website.
The ageing payment kiosks at Dairy Flat and Puhoi will be removed and easier in-person cash payment options will be available at 33 upper North Island BP and Caltex service stations. These over the counter payments will be accepted in cash or by debit or credit card. A $1.20 transaction fee applies.
The easiest option for drivers is still to pay tolls online with no administration fee at www.tollroad.govt.nz(external link), or set up an online account.
The Transport Agency’s National Manager for Delivery, Robyn Elston, says there have been significant improvements to tolling technology since the Northern Gateway Toll Road opened in 2009 and the upgraded system will now make it as easy as possible for people to use all New Zealand toll roads through fast, convenient and simple payment methods.
Two new toll roads in Tauranga will also be added to the system – the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road and the Takitimu Drive Toll Road. Customers with tolling accounts, including existing account holders, will be able to pay for trips on all three toll roads with a single account.
For more information go to www.tollroad.govt.nz (external link)
Frequently asked questions
When will the upgrade of the tolling system happen?
At 8.00pm on 29 July 2015, the tolling system will be shut down for 28 hours while it is upgraded. The update is expected to be completed by 12.01am on 31 July. While the system is being upgraded, you will not be able to access the transactional pages. This includes setting up accounts, managing accounts, paying for tolls and paying toll payment notices.
What if I use the Northern Gateway Toll Road while the system is being upgraded?
The cameras on the toll gantry will still be operational. During the system upgrade, tolls can’t be immediately assigned to your account or against your pre-purchased tolls straight away. As soon as the upgraded system is live, any travel you have taken on the road will be assigned to your account, or against your pre-purchased tolls, as usual. Due to the length of the outage, there could be some delay for these tolls to be assigned. If you don’t have a toll account and haven’t pre-purchased tolls, this delay may mean that your tolls are not available immediately on the website but the majority will be available by 1 August. You’ll have five days to pay your tolls from 31 July before you may be issued a toll payment notice.
Why are the kiosks going?
The kiosks at BP Dairy Flat and Puhoi are being removed because their technology is out of date. The kiosks are being replaced with an improved, more accessible cash payment option. From 31 July you’ll be able to pay for your tolls in cash or by credit / debit card at selected BP and Caltex services stations. If you choose to pay in person, a $1.20 transaction fee will apply.
When are the kiosks being removed?
The kiosks at BP Dairy Flat and Puhoi will be removed by the end of August 2015. They will no longer be in operation from 8.00pm on 29 July 2015.
When the kiosks go, how do I pay for my toll by cash?
You now have more options if you’d prefer to pay your tolls in cash or by credit / debit card. You can pay in cash or by credit /debit card at selected BP and Caltex services stations (transaction fee applies). Alternatively, it’s easy to pay online or better still, set up a convenient toll account.
How much do I pay?
Can I use my toll account to pay for travel on other toll roads?
