Gridlock's problems worth week off every two months

By STUART DYE

Auckland's traffic gridlock costs the workforce the equivalent of a week's holiday every two months, according to a new report.

The region's 566,000-strong workforce spend an average of more than an hour a day stuck in traffic, says a report by the Employers and Manufacturers Association.

The congestion cost to the economy is often quoted as $1 billion a year - a figure taken from a 1997 study, but the actual figure today is closer to $4 billion, says the association.

"Costs like these are why we need far more urgency over addressing Auckland's traffic," said EMA chief executive Alasdair Thompson.

"They're the sort of costs that can be reduced to everyone's advantage. Any reductions go straight into all our bank accounts."

With an average pay rate of $19.41 an hour, the time spent getting to and from work is worth $11 million a day, $55 million a week, or over $2.7 billion a year, according to the EMA study.

On top of the opportunity time lost, Auckland's motorists use around 110 million litres of petrol and 500 million litres of diesel a year.

These add a further $1.45 billion to transport costs.

The report says that of $50 spent on filling a petrol tank, $27.25 will go in Government taxes and fees but only $6.95 will be spent on roads.

"No wonder Auckland's roads are jammed," said Mr Thompson.

The EMA says the study is further evidence that funding must be given, and work started on, several major transport projects and scores of smaller ones throughout the region.

Officials in Wellington are working with local body representatives from Auckland on a package of solutions which it is understood includes regional fuel taxes, toll roads, congestion charging and a handout from central Government.

Transport Minister Paul Swain is expected to announce details of the measures at the end of the year.

Delays cost billions

Aucklanders spend an average of more than an hour a day stuck in traffic.

At 566,000 workers on an average pay rate of $19.41 an hour, the cost of time spent commuting is estimated at $2.7 billion a year.

Petrol and diesel add a further $1.45 billion a year to the bill.