AA surprised over motorway toll action

Surprise from motoring body the AA over what it says is a hasty recommendation on how to fund Auckland's road improvements.

The Auckland Council's Business Advisory Panel has opted for tolls on motorways as its preferred option out of a range of 10 possibilities.

The AA's Simon Lambourne expected the process to take some months and certainly the AA is still mulling them over.

"But then again maybe it shouldn't be a surprise because at the end of the day they can simply pass the costs onto consumers, it's the consumers, the actual motorists that are going to have to pay," he says.

If Aucklanders want a world class roading system, they'll need to consider tolls on the motorways.

That's the position of Labour's transport spokesman Phil Twyford following the suggestion by the Auckland Council's business advisors.

Mr Twyford says while Aucklanders might not like the idea, they need to get their heads around it.

"The big thing here is that we absolutely have to generate more revenue. Aucklanders clearly want a world class public transport system, that's what everybody says and we've got to find a way of paying for it."

Mr Twyford says tolling would generate several hundred million dollars.

Tolls are one of the options aimed at bridging a transport funding gap of almost $12 billion, but others include higher rates, a new Auckland fuel tax, more parking fees, visitor taxes and another airport departure tax.

Photo: Auckland motorway (Getty Images)