NZTA has 'no right' to prosecute toll evaders

March 15:  NZTA's actions in prosecuting five drives for unpaid northern gateway fines is heavy-handed, according to a high-profile industry commentator.

"From day one, the collection of tolls on the Northern Gateway has been a shambles for casual motorists," Clive Matthew-Wilson, editor of the car review website dogandlemon.com, told NBR.

"The process of paying via machine is clumsy and the machines are sometimes out of order. Customers seeking to call the 0800 call centre have been left waiting on hold for ten or twenty minutes."

There have been huge delays during holiday weekends, compounded by the fact that the Northern Gateway call centre is usually closed at these times, 

"Clearly, there have been some drivers who are simply milking the system: NZTA has a moral right to send in the debt collectors, but surely not to prosecute," Mr Matthew-Wilson said.

"The use of toll road is a commercial transaction: why should a government department have greater debt collection powers than a private company?"

March 14: High-debt road toll evaders on Auckland’s northern gateway motorway will be prosecuted by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).

If you are one of the five targeted motorists? Tell NBR Online what you think of this move. Email janderson@nbr.co.nz

NZTA’s national toll manager, Andy Thackwray, says the agency initially plans to target five individuals who owe a combined $9,420 in unpaid tolls and administration charges.

“The toll road has been open for more than three years.  A small minority of repeat toll evaders decline to use the range of payment options available to them and are flouting the law. This is a situation that cannot be allowed to continue,” says Mr Thackwray.

The highest level of unpaid tolls and admin fees range from $2980 to $1260 for the top five offenders.

AA’s Auckland transport spokesman Simon Lambourne says “Those motorists rorting the system are about to get a very clear message that their behaviour is unacceptable. These prosecutions are welcomed by all the law-abiding motorists who do pay their tolls.”

When asked if AA thinks it is the start of a more extensive campaign against toll-avoiders, Mr Lambourne said AA supported further actions.