Charges to solve traffic congestion supported

Road user charges are a real solution to New Zealand congestion problems, according to the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development.

If current trends continue, freight volumes will increase by between 70 and 75% by 2031, especially in the “Golden Triangle” of roads between Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga.

The rise in New Zealand freight volume needs to more than double over the next 30 years in order to catch up with Australia.

According to a report commissioned by the business council, both commercial and casual road users are prepared to pay additional charges, provided it guarantees them faster journeys.

The report, “Future Freight Solutions,” surveyed 45 companies and organisations, including Air New Zealand and Zespri.

Business Council chief executive Peter Neilson said past research had shown delays cost the transport industry more than a billion dollars a year. “[That’s] from research that was done quite some time ago now. And there were people that argued that was an underestimate, because it was simply the value of the waiting time, it wasn’t what could be done if we had used that time effectively.”

Mr Neilson said the new report found New Zealanders accepted building extra roads and motorways was not a financially viable congestion solution.

“Whereas ten years ago the public were very happy to have more tax money put into building roads, that enthusiasm is waning. People are much more enthusiastic about spending money from different sources such as tolling or other mechanisms to fundraise.”

Mr Neilson did not wish to specify a likely charge amount, as emphasis thus far had been upon polling willingness to pay, rather than specific costs.

The global financial crisis had also limited government capacity to pay for additional roads.

Charges are one of several solutions suggested in the report. Others are “green incentives” such as allowing vehicles with two or more passengers access to bus or express lanes, and encouraging educational facilities to stagger starting and finishing times.

Mr Neilson said increased use of public transport was part of the solution, “but only part”. For example, polling of more than 2,000 respondents by ShapeNZ had shown that only 30% of Aucklanders lived within 10 minutes of a railway station. Nearly 87% drove to work each week.

“So even if we got everybody who currently could go by rail to start using it, we’re only talking about 30% of the population,” said Mr Neilson.

The council’s next step is to meet relevant Ministers with the freight sector companies and organisations surveyed for the report.

Mr Neilson said it could become an election issue.