Electronic road tolls supported by public, says Transit

Transit aims to avoid toll booths like this one on Route K, which links Tauranga city centre and Mount Maunganui. Picture / Bay of Plenty Times

The prospect of New Zealand drivers having to pay electronic road tolls is a step closer with Transit to review methods of collection.

Transit New Zealand, the Government's roadbuilder, today released a consultation report on toll systems for roads, which found "support" for electronic tolls.

"The report found that there is support for the concept of a nationally integrated electronic toll collection system for toll roads in New Zealand," Transit chief executive Rick van Barneveld said.

Transit wants to use tolls to pay for the construction of new roads.

But in its full consultation report, Transit says "many individual submitters queried the introduction of toll roads in principle, arguing that significant revenue is already collected through petrol excise tax".

Most submitters also said a cost-free route must also be available as well as any toll route.

All Maori organisations which made submissions were against the toll project.

Transit's preferred tolling option is one with no barriers and tolls collected electronically as vehicles drive by.

The report recommends Transit investigate toll payment options for cars not fitted with an "electronic toll collection device" and a toll payment option that does not record toll payers' personal details.

- NZPA