Price of Tauranga toll roads increasing today

Tauranga Eastern Link from the Parton Road bridge. Photo / George Novak

The price of travel on two Tauranga toll roads has increased today.

The cost to travel on Tauranga Eastern Link and Takitimu Drive increased by 10 cents, according to the New Zealand Transport Agency's website.

The price of travel on the Eastern Link stood at $2.10 for light vehicles (car/motorcycle) and $5.20 for heavy vehicles (bus/truck), while Takitimu Drive cost $1.90 for light vehicles and $5 for heavy vehicles.

The price has been increased to ensure that the toll roads stay on course to repay debts.

Occasional increases to toll prices to adjust with inflation are intended to keep the debt repayments up-to-date.

Current toll road account holders will be charged the new rate from 1 March.

People who have pre-purchased trips will not need to pay more when the price changed as the system will recognise that the trip has been paid for already.

Pre-purchased trips through Pay & Go would still be able to be used.

Most of the money goes towards debt repayment, with $0.70c going towards operating costs to run the tolling business, and a component to Inland Revenue as GST.

For example, from a $2.40 toll, $1.39 goes towards debt repayment, $0.70c goes towards operating costs to run the tolling business and $0.31 goes to the Inland Revenue as GST.