NZ Initiative report calls for congestion charging to free up road space and get traffic moving

Monday, 27 January 2020

Hutt Valley commuters are crying out for an interchange on State Highway 2 at Melling to relieve traffic congestion.

Wellingtonians lose almost five days a year stuck in traffic gridlock, and researchers say it's time for congestion charging to help get vehicles off the road.

A report released by the New Zealand Institute on Tuesday shows Wellington drivers spent 118 hours in stationary traffic in 2018, the equivalent of 4.9 days, and the same number as Melbourne.

Auckland drivers spent 150 hours, or 6.25 days, in gridlock - more than Sydney and almost as many as Toronto.

Wellingtonians spent the equivalent of almost five days stuck in traffic in 2018, according to new research. (File photo)

The report, Pricing out congestion: experiences from abroad, showed traffic volumes - and, subsequently, congestion - had reduced dramatically within charged areas in cities such as London, Dubai, Milan, and Stockholm in recent years.

Wellington drivers spent as much time in gridlock traffic as motorists in Melbourne, which has a population of almost 5 million. (File photo)

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Researchers say it's time for a congestion charge to help get vehicles off the road. (File photo)

Report author Dr Patrick Carvalho said congestion charging led to people finding other ways of commuting, using other routes, or travelling at different times, and it was now time for New Zealand to jump on board.

The scheme also led to economic and environmental benefits, and generated money which could be spent on public transport, walking and cycling, he said.

Auckland drivers spent the equivalent of more than six days in traffic in 2018. (File photo)

'Despite our major political parties supporting congestion pricing, New Zealand will not see a successful system launched unless the government of the day is prepared to address the issue and take the time to come up with a system that works for our specific landscape.'

The scheme did not have to be expensive, with charges in Singapore ranging from NZ$0.51 to NZ$4.05, Carvalho said.

Wellington Mayor Andy Foster is in favour of councils being allowed to implement congestion charges. (File photo)

New Zealand Initiative chief economist Dr Eric Crampton said research also showed public support for the scheme often increased after it was implemented.

'Charges in better-designed schemes can be unpopular on day one but, in Stockholm, most people supported congestion charges two years after they were introduced and support was higher than 60 per cent in subsequent years.'

In Milan, which charged private vehicle users a flat, per day rate to enter a zoned area, traffic had reduced by 34 per cent since 2012, while journey times had reduced by 30 per cent.

Transport Minister Phil Twyford has ruled out introducing the scheme. (File photo)

In Dubai, which charged drivers at various entry points, traffic volumes had reduced by up to 45 per cent since 2007, and travel times had reduced by 50 per cent.

Wellington Mayor Andy Foster said he was in favour of congestion charging as one way of paying for the proposed $6.4 billion Let's Get Wellington Moving programme.

Even a 10 per cent reduction in traffic, as was the case during school holiday periods, could make a big difference, he said.

'Congestion charging is one of the tools that we would like in our toolbox , but we do need the Government to show leadership and allow councils to implement it - in consultation with communities that are affected.'

Transport Minister Phil Twyford said congestion charging was a valuable tool to free up road space, but commuters first needed better transport

choices. It was being considered in Auckland but not elsewhere.

'If you want to use pricing to encourage people to leave the car at home, you need to invest in better public transport, and safe walking and cycling.

'That is why we have doubled spending on public transport and boosted investment in walking and cycling.

'In the meantime, I have ruled out congestion charging in Wellington and other centres while we get on and build a modern, multi-modal transport network.'

HOURS STUCK IN GRIDLOCK TRAFFIC - 2018

Rome 254

Paris 237

Mexico City 218

Moscow 210

Toronto 164

Istanbul 157

Auckland 150

Sydney 138

Wellington 118

Melbourne 118

Source: New Zealand Institute/INRIX