Most Aucklanders happy to pay for congestion

Almost two thirds of Auckland motorists are happy to open their wallets to help ease congestion problems in the city.

New research commissioned by the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development has gauged views on the cost of congestion and potential funding solutions.

The figures show 64 percent of Aucklanders support road tolls in principle - if peak pricing was introduced, and it would go towards funding the city's major transport projects.

Council chief executive Stephen Selwood says it's surprising to see so many in support of tolls.

"What this survey shows is that people are fed up with congestion, they recognise that there is a need for investment in both roading and public transport, and they also recognise that someone's going to have to pay for it and in the end it's probably going to be the users."

He says the survey reveals most drivers don't mind a couple of dollars.

"$2 at peak, $1.50 off peak, and around about a dollar in the really quiet times. The other thing that people are saying is, I don't really want to pay any more than $5 in a day so yeah, sure, a couple of trips at two bucks, but don't charge me any more than that."

Photo: Getty Images