Phone quiz on city's transport

Market researchers are about to poll 5000 Aucklanders on whether they would rather pay for extra transport projects through motorway tolls. Photo / Natalie Slade

Tolls received full or partial backing from 53 per cent of those submissions and higher rates and fuel tax received 37 per cent support.

Market researchers are about to poll 5000 Aucklanders on whether they would rather pay for extra transport projects through motorway tolls or higher rates and a fuel tax.

The Auckland Council has commissioned research firm Colmar Brunton to conduct the month-long telephone poll, starting tomorrow, to supplement information from submissions made on its draft 10-year budget.

The poll is expected to be more representative of Auckland's diverse population than the picture gained from the submission process, which runs until March 16.

Council staff had received 4778 submissions by late last week. Of 3780 that included demographic information, 64 per cent were from men and 82 per cent from people who identified themselves as European.

Despite Auckland's large Polynesian population, only 1 per cent of submissions were from Pacific Island people, 3 per cent from Maori and 6 per cent from Asians.

More than two-thirds were from people aged 45 or older, compared with 18 per cent aged 35 to 44, 12 per cent aged 25 to 34 and 3 per cent aged 15 to 24.

The submissions were on a range of budget questions, but about 70 per cent of the 3422 that indicated views on transport supported an enhanced spending package which the council says would require motorway tolls of $2 a trip or a fuel tax rise of 1.2c a litre for nine years and additional annual rates rises of 1 per cent.

Tolls received full or partial backing from 53 per cent of those submissions and higher rates and fuel tax received 37 per cent support.

Cycling received the highest number of submissions - just under 800 - wanting the council to focus more on that form of transport, followed in order by buses, trains, light rail, public transport in general, roads, parking enforcement, ferries, walking, highways and footpaths.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown, who has ruled out a public referendum on tolls or higher rates and fuel tax, said he expected "tens of thousands" more submissions to confirm trends emerging from those received.