Full services for online payments have been restored to the Northern Gateway Toll Road website, www.tollroad.govt.nz.
Full services for online payments have been restored to the Northern Gateway Toll Road website, www.tollroad.govt.nz(external link).
The NZ Transport Agency announced today that it is ready to accept online payments from motorists, following the addition of new security measures to the website for the SH1 toll road north of Auckland, which opens on Sunday, January 25.
“Drivers can open accounts fully confident that their personal information is safe,” said Wayne McDonald, the NZ Transport Agency’s Regional Director for Auckland/Northland.
“Our website has been thoroughly tested by independent assessors to ensure the confidentiality of information provided by customers,” he added.
Mr McDonald encouraged those planning to use the new highway on a regular basis to set up a pre-paid account online, www.tollroad.govt.nz(external link), or by ringing free phone 0800 40 20 20.
“A pre-paid account is easy to set up, it’s easy to top up and it’s easy to keep track of. It will save regular users of the road, time, as it removes the need to pay separately for each trip,” he said.
Motorists using the toll road less frequently can also use the website or free phone to pay in advance, or within three days of using the road. Those who would rather pay as they go can do so at cash payment points located at SH1 BP Connect Dairy Flat [northbound] or SH1 Titford’s Bridge on the left after the Puhoi turnoff [southbound].
The toll tariffs will be $2 for cars and light commercial vehicles, and $4 for heavy vehicles. There were no additional charges for trailers or caravans. The toll for motorcycles has been set at zero.
The Northern Gateway Toll Road will be New Zealand’s first fully electronic toll road. An image of a vehicle’s licence plate is taken and automatically reconciled against account or payment records.
There are no toll booths to slow down drivers, said Mr McDonald. The benefit of electronic tolling was that drivers could pay at their convenience rather than interrupting their journey. Electronic tolling was also proven to provide the lowest cost of collection overall, he added.
The 7.5km-long toll road between Orewa and Puhoi will provide motorists with a more direct and safer route from Auckland and Northland...
“As well as enabling motorists to bypass the usual congestion spots, the road features reduced gradients, smoother curves and clear sight lines, which mean it is safer for travel at motorway speeds,” Mr McDonald said.
Other free routes are available for motorists who do not wish to use the toll road.
The main free alternative route was through Orewa and the Hibiscus Coast Highway. The other alternative was SH16 connecting Northland with west and north Auckland. Signage will clearly indicate the options for motorists, and the NZTA will continue to actively inform motorists about their range of travel options especially during peak holiday periods.
The Northern Gateway Toll Road is opening two months ahead of schedule.
For more information about the Northern Gateway Toll Road or toll payment options visit www.tollroad.govt.nz(external link) or phone 0800 40 20 20.
