The NZ Transport Agency is reminding drivers who use the Northern Gateway Toll Road on State Highway 1 to plan ahead and pay their tolls before they drive this Labour Weekend. It will be particulary busy travelling to and from Auckland as it also coincides with the Rugby World Cup 2011 final at Eden Park this Sunday.
The toll road is the key route for holidaymakers driving between Auckland and Northland over Labour Weekend and the NZTA’s Regional Director for Auckland and Northland, Stephen Town, is encouraging motorists to take full advantage of its electronic technology and pay online before they travel.
“Choosing to pay on-line is the easy and convenient option, and there is no need to interrupt your journey and risk delays by having to queue to pay at the manual kiosks,” he says. “People can pay for single or multiple trips.”
Drivers can wait five days after using the road to pay at www.tollroad.govt.nz (external link) Those who use the road on Friday, for example, have until the following Tuesday to pay without incurring late payment penalties.
Toll payment kiosks located on State Highway 1 at BP Dairy Flat heading north and at Puhoi for those driving south will be busy and queues are likely. Motorists should look out for electronic message signs and choose alternative methods of payment if the kiosks are busy.
Tolls can also be paid by calling the call centre, which is open Monday – Friday from 8am until 6pm, on freephone 0800 40 20 20. The call centre will not be open during Labour Weekend.
Mr Town reminds drivers that tolls bought on-line do not incur an additional administration fee, but the fee does apply to payments made by phone or at the kiosks. Kiosk payments incur a fee of 40c per transaction, regardless of the number of tolls bought, and payments by phone incur a $3.70 fee for each transaction regardless of the number of toll bought.
The toll is $2 per trip for cars, motorcycles and light vans, and $4 per trip for heavy vehicles.
Drivers can also choose to use alternative routes between Auckland and Northland that are not tolled. State Highway 16 to Wellsford can be reached from the SH1 Silverdale Interchange, and overseas visitors may prefer the scenic Hibiscus coast route through Orewa township.
