Attacks on toll road payment kiosks reduce service

People stop to pay to use the Northern Gateway toll road north of Auckland. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Two costly payment kiosks for Auckland's Northern Gateway toll road have been damaged by suspected thieves.

The Transport Agency has had to move one of the three remaining machines from the BP Connect service station at Dairy Flat, south of the road, to its northern end near Puhoi, while seeking a more durable arrangement.

Agency northern director Stephen Town says technicians are assessing chances of constructing a new machine from the two damaged ones.

The attack means drivers unwilling to settle their tolls online, by phone, or through pre-paid accounts have only one machine available near Puhoi, and two at Dairy Flat.

Automobile Association spokesman Simon Lambourne said it was unfortunate the reduced service had coincided with a new 40c administration charge for using payment machines - in addition to tolls of $2 for cars and motorbikes, and $4 for trucks.

Drivers can also pay online within five days of travelling on the road, or incur an administration fee of $3.70c if settling by phone.

Although 53 per cent of the road's users held pre-paid accounts by the end of last year, more than half of the rest stopped at kiosks.

More than 2000 drivers opened accounts since the administration charges were announced in June.

They took effect on August 1.

Mr Lambourne said the location and layout of the kiosks was making it too difficult for drivers to pay their tolls.

Mr Town said the agency was continuing to investigate options for accepting toll payments such as text messages or through a retail outlet.

"It is not a simple matter, and discussions involve not only potential vendors and ourselves, but also technical experts overseas, responsible for our toll system."