The NZ Transport Agency has reduced the minimum balance required to set up a Northern Gateway Toll Road account to encourage more motorists to use the online and freephone payment options.
The NZ Transport Agency has reduced the minimum balance required to set up a Northern Gateway Toll Road account to encourage more motorists to use the online and freephone payment options.
The NZTA says that customers will now make an initial payment of $20 to open an account (previously $44); the threshold when accounts will be automatically topped up drops to $10 (previously a minimum of $24); and the amount by which accounts will be topped up is $10.
Reducing the set-up amount means that users will make a one-off payment of $20, from which trips will be deducted. When their balance reaches $10, the account will be automatically topped by another $10.
If motorists use the road often, they can increase their top-up threshold and top-up amount.
For the existing 11,000 account holders, their top-up threshold automatically drops to $10. Their current top-up amounts will not change, but they can call free on 0800 40 20 20 if they want to amend that amount.
During the first five days of opening, almost 98 thousand vehicles had used the 7.5km-long motorway extension of SH1 between Orewa and Puhoi, north of Auckland.
“We are very pleased that so many people want to use the new toll road, and that 11,000 of them have already opened accounts,” says Ian Gordon, the NZTA’s Group Manager Access and Use.
“But this means we are getting more people than expected wanting to use the cash payment kiosks at approaches to both ends of the toll road, which is often causing queues and delays,” he adds.
“The best way to use the road is to get a ‘set and forget’ account that allows you to use the toll road at motorway speeds without having to stop your journey. You can pay before your journey, or you have three days after it to pay,” Mr Gordon says.
People can open accounts by phoning free on 0800 40 20 20, or going online at www.tollroad.govt.nz(external link)
Tolls are $2 for cars and light vehicles, and $4 for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. The toll for motorbikes is set at $0.00. Towed trailers and caravans are free. Distinctive blue and yellow road signs remind drivers of their payment options.
There are two free alternative routes for people who do not want to use the toll road: the coastal route along SH17 through Silverdale, Orewa and Waiwera, and SH16 from Wellsford to Auckland.
For more information please contact:
Ewart Barnsley
Stakeholder & Communications Manager – Auckland
NZ Transport Agency
M 027 2137616
E ewart.barnsley@nzta.govt
