Text is next for toll road

Motorists using the Northern Gateway toll road may soon be able to pay by text.

The new payment option is being considered by the New Zealand Transport Agency.

An unexpectedly high number of motorists have used the new route, which offers a quicker and safer alternative between Puhoi and Orewa.

Agency regional director for Auckland and Northland Wayne McDonald says more than 73 percent of all travellers who have the choice of State Highway 1, the toll road, or SH17, the coastal route through Orewa, take the toll road.

"This is higher than the 70/30 split the agency’s traffic modelling predicted before the toll road opened," he says.

Mr McDonald says the agency is investigating the use of texting as a payment option.

A decision is in the pipeline but one of the concerns relates to safety because of the possibility of people texting while driving.

Mr McDonald could not say if the new law making texting or talking on hand-held cellphones illegal from November 1 would impact on the decision.

To the end of July a total of 2,337,770 vehicles have used the toll road.

"While we faced some challenges with the operation of the toll system in the first six months of operation, on balance the agency believes that the toll road has been successful and is delivering real benefits for drivers."

One of those challenges was educating motorists on how to pay the toll of $2 by phone, internet or at a payment booth. Improved maintenance and giving clearer information on payment options has helped solve that, he says.

A total of 54,800 toll payment notices have been sent out to non-payers, with payment compliance to the end of June at 93 percent.

Mr McDonald says the greater than expected number of users shows motorists are finding the advantages of using the road well worth the toll.

"Truck drivers in particular report significant time savings."

- © Fairfax NZ News