Auckland Council is pressing on with developing a system to charge motorists using key routes into the city centre, possibly from 2026 onwards.
Detail work will include whether exemptions and discounts can be offered, and how to minimise the financial impact on those least able to pay.
The idea has been pursued in Auckland since 2012, but still requires legislation to be passed, and for agreement to be reached with the incoming government.
Time-of-use charging received cross-party support from a parliamentary select committee, and legislation was prepared but not passed before the 2023 election.
The scheme, previously described as “congestion charging” had been envisaged as replacing the current 11.5 cent a litre Regional Fuel Tax (RFT), which is due to expire in 2028, but the National Party which will lead the next government, wants to scrap the tax sooner.
Auckland Transport officials told the council’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee, it had already trialled technology on an overhead gantry at Nelson St, to test its ability to read number plates, and identify vehicle types which would pay different rates.
No decisions have been made yet on the level of charges, which could range from zero overnight, to a peak figure which the mayor Wayne Brown has suggested could be between $3.50-$5.
AT said it had not even been decided whether motorways – owned by the government – or arterial roads would be tolled.
Chris McKeen/Stuff
Motorists could pay between $3.50 – $5 to enter the central city of Auckland under a Time of Use charging scheme
While a scheme could theoretically start sooner than 2026, the need for legislation was key, and 2026 was when the public transport options for those in west and south would improve, said AT’s Tracey Berkahn.
Berkahn said the city needed to revisit research done previously on the impacts on poorer people.
An exasperated-sounding mayor Wayne Brown said: “I want this underway as soon as possible”.
“This is urgent, don’t expect to be voted in next time if we haven’t got this,” he told councillors.
AT officials said there would be public consultation on the details of the scheme.
A nine-member “political reference group” including the mayor, senior councillors, and a member of the Independent Māori Statutory Board to oversee the work.
Councillors voted 19-2 to endorse the ongoing programme, with Ken Turner and Wayne Walker opposing.
