The NZ Transport Agency reports that by 4pm today [Thursday, January 29] more than 86,000 motorists have used the Northern Gateway Toll Road on SH1 north of Auckland.
The NZ Transport Agency reports that by 4pm today [Thursday, January 29] more than 86-thousand motorists have used the Northern Gateway Toll Road on SH1 north of Auckland.
The busiest day was last Sunday when the road was opened. Just over 29-and-a-half thousand vehicles travelled the 7.5km-long extension of SH1 between Orewa and Puhoi.
The Transport Agency says it is pleased more drivers are heeding the message to buy their tolls online or via the freephone number to avoids queues at the cash payment points located at both approaches to the toll road.
Transactions at the cash payment points have been dropping steadily as people switch to the web or the NZTA’s freephone to pay tolls. The breakdown in the number of trips sold is as follows:
Trips by payment point
Trips by web
Trips by phone
January 27
4852
1616
2489
January 28
4278
3085
3344
January 29
2607
1651
2630
“We are strongly recommending that for the quickest, easiest drive and to get the full benefits of the road, drivers should call 0800 40 20 20 or visit www.tollroad,govt.nz(external link) and pay before they drive or within three days after their trip,” said Wayne McDonald, the NZTA’s Regional Director for Auckland/Northland.
“Even if you are just making a single trip, it’s easier to do it online or by freephone. There is no extra charge and you can travel the toll road at motorway speeds without having to stop to pay.”
The NZTA also reports that more than 10-thousand road users have signed up to "set and forget" toll payment accounts. This is more in five days than was forecast for the first 12 months of the road’s operations.
Latest figures for the number of vehicles using the toll road are as follows:
January 25 - 12,768 northbound, 16,758 southbound
January 26 - 10,269 northbound, 17,991 southbound
January 27 - 5,995 northbound, 8,502 southbound
January 28 - 5,990 northbound, 6,727 southbound
Tolls are $2 for cars and light vehicles, and $4 for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. The toll for motorbikes is set at zero. 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 old coastal route along SH17 through Silverdale, Orewa and Waiwera, and SH16 from Wellsford to Auckland.
For more information please contact:
Ewart Barnsley
Stakeholder and communications manager
NZ Transport Agency
M 64 27 213 7616
ewart.barnsley@nzta.govt.nz
