'No reason' congestion tax wouldn't work in Auckland, as latest plan to charge drivers gains speed

Friday, 4 October 2019

The growing number of vehicles on Auckland's roads could overwhelm anti-congestion efforts, the AA says (video first published July 2019).

A congestion tax could be part of the solution to Auckland's traffic woes, which costs the super city's economy an estimated $1.3 billion annually, the Ministry of Transport says.

Officials are continuing to work on the idea and expect to release a report on their findings next year.

The concept this week received backing from leading Auckland mayoral candidates Phil Goff, John Tamihere and Craig Lord when it was raised as trio faced off in Greenlane on Tuesday night.

A Ministry of Transport report looking at international congestion pricing shows charges across the globe range from from NZ41c - the lower level for San Francisco's toll lanes - to the nearly NZ$30 in parts of New York City.

A report found an average weekday motorway trip takes motorists 10 per cent longer than it did four years ago.

* Auckland mayoral election: No worries about low voter turnout

* Goodnight to Goff's baby: Auckland Mayor's bed tax crying out for rethink

Incumbent Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says a congestion tax would be years away under his watch.

* Auckland mayoral election: John Tamihere's $80m council building up-sell allegation rejected

* AA: Will Auckland's transport plans reduce congestion?**

Free-flowing traffic in Auckland could add almost $2 billion to the city's economy a new report says. Auckland correspondent Todd Niall discusses the details.

The charge was designed to encourage road users to change the time, route or way they travel.

Ministry of Transport demand management and revenue manager Marian Willberg told Stuff assessments of the scale, application and technology were ongoing, with a report expected to be released in 2020.

'International schemes have been shown to be effective in easing congestion, and there's no reason that wouldn't be true in Auckland too,' she said.

'However, there are a range of things that need to be considered before deciding whether it might be right for Auckland.'

The National government began looking into congestion charges for Auckland in June 2017, while in the lead up to the general election Labour campaigned hard on introducing a fuel tax to help pay for Auckland transport infrastructure.

Leading mayoral candidate John Tamihere has advocated for a congestion tax to get big trucks off Auckland's roads during peak hours.

Last February, it was reported Goff, the minister of finance and the minister of transport had given approval for the project to proceed to phase two.

That work would evaluate different pricing options, before reaching a recommendation on whether or not congestion charges should be introduced.

Ministry reporting released at the time explored congestion pricing in numerous international cities, including Singapore and London.

Singapore operates a system of cordons and points where motorists pay to use certain roads.

Fees range from NZ51c to NZ$4.05 per charging point, depending on time of day and vehicle type.

London uses an area charge system using number plate recognition. Charges range from NZ$18.95 to NZ$25.30.

'Our analysis in phase one of this project has built a compelling case for continuing the work we have done so far, so we can better understand the social, economic and environmental costs and benefits of congestion pricing for Auckland,' the report read.

First-time Auckland mayoral candidate Craig Lord was all for some form of traffic charge, floating electronic tolls.

Meanwhile, congestion in Auckland continues to worsen – the report found an average weekday motorway trip took motorists 10 per cent longer than it did four years ago.

Motorists need to allow 40 to 55 per cent more time for their trips to be assured of arriving on time, the authors added.

Goff, Tamihere and Lord have expressed support for the new tax, though Goff and Tamihere this week ruled out introducing it during Auckland Council's next term.

'John and I agree that's a possibility,' Goff said.

'If you have congestion tax, you do away with the Regional Fuel Tax.'

Earlier in his campaign, Tamihere, who wants to scrap the fuel tax, said his congestion tax would target heavy vehicles in particular.

Lord, meanwhile, was backing the introduction of electronic tolls.

'Let's ditch this fuel tax and instead put … a tax there on congestion,' he said.

'Why do we need alternative routes? If you're going to use that road, user pays.'

Goff, whose Regional Fuel Tax policy was approved by Auckland councillors in 2018, said looking at introducing a congestion tax 'has to be and option'.

However, the Auckland mayor said he could not see it being introduced for the next three to five years, adding commuters first needed other options, such as the City Rail Link (CRL) and light rail.