It's been one of Tauranga's most controversial roads and now Winston Peters is calling for the tolls on Route K to be axed.
The New Zealand First leader wants a complete overhaul of the Tauranga transport network as well as an investigation into the feasibility of a light rail public transport network for the city.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peter has called for the tolls on Route K to be axed. Photo: NZTA.
'We were instrumental in removing the $63 million debt and getting it designated as a state highway,” says Winston.
'Before the 2014 election New Zealand First made the promise to remove the debt and within days National caved in.”
Winston says axing the toll is the 'common sense next step” to getting all heavy traffic off Cameron and Cambridge roads as it would allow trucks to travel directly to and from New Zealand's largest port, and to and from the national highway network.
He says New Zealand First would also investigate a light rail public transport network in Tauranga – 'the country's fastest growing city”.
'We don't want to see Tauranga, in a few years' time, having to deal with the hopeless problems resulting from a lack of planning that Auckland is facing today,” says Winston.
Do you agree that the Route K toll should be axed? Would you like to see a light rail public transport network in Tauranga? Post your thoughts in the comments section below.
34 comments
My tuppence
Posted on 18-09-2016 08:02 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
No toll should ever have been placed on this road. It was primarily built for the port traffic and we the light traffic user are paying for it. We pay enough in taxes already, of course it should go!Light rail, a test during XMAS holidays between the strand and the Mount could be tried. Getting in between the big stuff is the problem.
Political stunt again?
Posted on 18-09-2016 08:30 | By 4AGR8TgaFuture
Tolls - another political stunt? Just when Tauranga is touted as a future version of Auckland (the latter talking about a congestion charge) in my opinion it's a short-sighted political stunt to remove tolls on Route K. Likely to delay other needed roading projects like the Northern arterial that bypasses Bethlehem. I do think light rail is worth exploring though.
Not a fan of Winston
Posted on 18-09-2016 08:46 | By chatter
However, I have often thought a monorail or similar system would be ideal, operating along Takitimu drive or Cameron road / hewletts road to Bayfair and looping back via Welcome Bay / Greerton.Also I believe a more urgent issue would be to address the congestion that now occurs at Takitimu / Elizabeth Street roundabout, as it is the southbound traffic that has precedence. There is sufficient room centrally to construct a simple single lane southbound only overbridge similar to the one at Hewletts / Maungatapu Road and what is proposed to be built at Bayfair.
Needs Investigating
Posted on 18-09-2016 08:49 | By Watcher 1
What makes Tauranga and the Waikato so different?, why is Tauranga Commuters penalized in having to pay Tolls on the new expressways and Waikato Commuters not??.Are our current local MPs looking after us?,seems NotLast week I travelled to Auckland on the new Waikato area expressways and surprizingly NO TOLLS so WHY NOT ???
We
Posted on 18-09-2016 09:14 | By Capt_Kaveman
already have a railway line its just that no one knows how to set it up, this line covers all of Papamoa The Mt and parts of Matua Bureta, pretty sure it would get used if people cars were safe during the day at pick up points
rail
Posted on 18-09-2016 09:24 | By Mallyg
yes here right this time its just what we need
Great!
Posted on 18-09-2016 10:02 | By Raewyn
it would be great to see the council and Government work together on these ideas. Wish Council could spend money on sensible things and not their personal wish lists!
Shades of Muldoon!!
Posted on 18-09-2016 11:08 | By BJ
Winnie was Muldoon's bright haired boy when he entered politics, and it appears that he has held on to idiotic Muldoonism with a vengeance! If Muldoon hadn't scrapped the Auckland Harbour Bridge tolls as an election bribe, Auckland would have had another bridge and even a tunnel by now, paid for by tolls! Now, as the latest election bribe by Winston, up he pops to do away with our user pays road toll system in Tauranga! Bugger off Winnie, we don't need you meddling in Tauranga! We have done very well since we got rid of you, thanks!
Watcher1 nailed it
Posted on 18-09-2016 13:56 | By TheCameltoeKid
I totally agree with you. Why has the Waikato got no tollroads yet we've got two? No toll on the Cambridge bypass. I'm absolutely NO fan of Winston Peters but I've long thought about how unfair this seems to me. And big ted your right too. I feel the Port company should've played a bigger roll in the developement of Route K and the TEL since they're clearly the main beneficiaries of these roads.
Yes ! Yes!! Yes!!!
Posted on 18-09-2016 14:58 | By Mackka
Never go that way - like most people, I go Cameron or Cambridge Roads. The access to the toll road - from Elizabeth Street only, is laughable - how could they ever expect it to work? Removing the toll will make a substantial impact on traffic presently using Cambridge and Cameron Rds) That said - it is imperative that access to Route K is provided from 15th Avenue.Now that Tauranga Crossing is mushrooming - it is a no-brainer!!
Cheaper Solution ...
Posted on 18-09-2016 15:34 | By flipper
... Bring back free school buses, traffic problems came like a switch was turned on when people had to pay for kids to get to school. Look at how well traffic flows in the School Holidays!
common sense needed
Posted on 18-09-2016 16:23 | By jaydeegee
It is common sense that if you want to encourage a behaviour, you don't penalise it. So why penalise the use of Route K? Doesn't make sense. Why be so rude to Winston Peters - he didn't introduce the tax? And bye the way as an ex commuter in Auckland, I can confirm that the Harbour Bridge toll-booths created lengthy hold-ups for traffic to and from the city. And YES, YES, YES, to the use of rail from Papamoa as far as Katikati to carry the bulk of passengers and free up the over-crowded SH2. And while we're about it, extend the rail passenger service to Auckland. You know it makes sense!
Hisory repeats
Posted on 18-09-2016 16:59 | By Oneroa
I clearly remember years go when Dove Myer-Robinson pleaded with Muldoon to include a light rail over the Auckland Harbour Bridge Nippon Clip-on. "Never be needed" said Muldoon. If Tauranga continues to grow we need to think about re-establishing our former rail links from Whakatane to Auckland. The longer we dither the more complex and expensive it all gets. Our grandchildren will exclaim: "why didn't the old buggers think ahead?"
Light rail expensive
Posted on 18-09-2016 17:21 | By BullShtAlert
Light rail or any form of rail public transport is expensive. It also needs a very big population to make it viable, at least 500,000 and ideally more. I don't think our ratepayers will want to fund the huge subsidy that will be needed for light rail. Get people using buses first.
Road design
Posted on 18-09-2016 18:19 | By First Responder
For a start, make K route useable. Have an on ramp at 15th or 17th ave, so traffic in central Tauranga can at least get on to it. What a difference it would make for the ambulance service trying to reach the Kaimais
keep the toll road
Posted on 18-09-2016 18:55 | By mcfarlanecj@xtra.co.nz
Keep the toll road on condition the $$ go to widening 15th Ave and Turrett rd bridge so I can get home without venting anger at the Fraser St/15th Ave lights every day.
BJ
Posted on 18-09-2016 19:09 | By Capt_Kaveman
so you think NZ is better since then?
Why Tauranga
Posted on 18-09-2016 19:09 | By Merlin
Why does Tauranga/Bay of Plenty have two toll roads? Why Mr Bridges when other areas do not.You are not looking after Tauranga other than going for a drive in your electric and photo opportunities for the Media.
Trucks
Posted on 18-09-2016 19:20 | By maildrop
Weight restrictions on Cameron/Cambridge to force trucks to use the roads designed for them. Suburban roads for suburban vehicles.
Helios
Posted on 18-09-2016 19:47 | By Helios
It's logical to have a straight through road for the heave transport and keep them off the city streets. This is a national grid road and like the expressway in Hamilton it should be freee of tolls.We have a railway and a possibilty to cover the areas as mentioned by another reader. Just do it and extend ti to travel thru to Auckland etc. It nnly takes a bit of good scheduling to fit in with the commercial traffic.
Well yes...
Posted on 18-09-2016 20:14 | By groutby
...I agree that Tauranga is probably New Zealand's fastest growing city, but Winnie for the rest,at least at this very point in time ..BOLLOCKS !!I cannot see (whether I agree or not) any point in driving all the way around when port traffic can pay a toll which get's them there faster and saves money, and not just port traffic either. If they are currently doing that (which I doubt) at the request of their management then surely it is fiscally irresponsible on their part? Sure, at some stage I would like to see charges removed, but for now, enjoy the savings guys!..and as for the Hamilton highway comments...roads of "national importance" need and should get, 1st priority..anything that gets important (domestically and overseas trade) freight on to SH1 quicker is needed NOW. Tauranga will prove itself to be an unbelievably important player VERY soon and will benefit.
Not even decent parking?
Posted on 18-09-2016 20:52 | By stokey
Went into the Tauranga Town centre on Saturday to do some shopping. Drove around for 35 mins to find somewhere to park. Not a show. Went to Fraser Cove instead and then Bayfair. No wonder the Tauranga Downtown is dying. Sort out the basics first.to
Winstone
Posted on 18-09-2016 22:04 | By bogside
Well said BJ. This political opportunist has proven to be totally useless at developing workable solutions and persists in picking on minor issues in an attempt to score points. My advice is for Winston to stick to Northland and do something for the less fortunate up there and leave the future of this area to those with real vision and true commitment to the region.
To late.
Posted on 18-09-2016 22:17 | By keepitgreen
If a passanger rail system were to be successful, stations would have to be reachable within 10-15 minute's walk of every business and house in the city limits. That is not achievable because when planning city's in New Zealand, population growth was not expected to be this large. The fact that property's are very spread out around the city is a large reason why public transport is so hard to get right.
Need for complete transport review
Posted on 19-09-2016 09:38 | By Rinkles
I must admit that a rail link or even better still a mono rail is both very appealing an shows foresight. The issue I guess would be cost and routing. However it would require sufficient safe and convenient parking nearby the stations. One could of course link it with a bus service. The bigger issue in my opinion is linking Tauranga to Hamilton & Auckland by either a commuter rail service or better roads. In the end it is one thing to get people to a destination but unless there is adequate efficient transport at the other end it is useless.As for the toll roads well I find it hard to accept that out of 3 toll roads in the North Island Tauranga has 2.
Not too late
Posted on 19-09-2016 10:04 | By jaydeegee
Get the facts right. In Britain and Europe rail stations are not placed within 15 minutes walk from business or homes.Engage your brain before commenting.
Camel toe kid and big ted
Posted on 19-09-2016 10:23 | By Kenworthlogger
All citys have bypass roads or ring roads around them or quick ways out. Tauranga is no different. Yes heavy vehicles do use these roads to access the port. Some choose not to and people whinge. All companies located in Tauranga benefit from better access through these new roads not just the port and people using private vehicles also do. Everybody wins with these new roads. Why cant you see that?
Leave the Tolls on
Posted on 19-09-2016 11:14 | By Rate1
Winston - concern yourself with your electorate - not ours, that's why we got rid of you. But I agree that Route K requires additional design improvements like: 15th route south link; Route K (north) link to Bethlehem plus Bethlehem link south onto Route K. With the Lakes subdivision near capacity now, cars are using Route K more and more than endeavoring to use SH29 to Barkes Corner and down Cameron Road.
Maildrop
Posted on 19-09-2016 13:54 | By Kenworthlogger
Cameron rd and Cambridge road were desighned for use by heavy vehicles. These were designed for this as route k was not in existance. Urban sprawl has caught up to these roads now. Rate1 why would you say no to someone offering to help Tauranga get rid of their tolls no matter who they are? Winston has a history of getting things like that done for Tauranga.
Mr Kenna
Posted on 19-09-2016 15:15 | By maxman
Yes I do think that the route K tolls should be axed..Light rail well that could be years away from happening..
Good idea Winston.
Posted on 19-09-2016 17:20 | By astex
How expensive would it be to set up light rail? The tracks are already in place and all it would seem to need are the stations. Papamoa and the stadium could be a start but with ample parking. Buy a car park ticket and that would also cover the return fare to town. Bet it would be cheaper than petrol and frustrating time wasting. Use the existing tracks and most of the city could be covered fairly quickly. Oh! and for the Winston knockers. I suggest you actually check out what he achieved for Tauranga and you may be surprised.
ROUTE K IS GARBAGE FROM WHOA TO GO
Posted on 20-09-2016 18:19 | By ROCCO
The deals made shaft TCC ratepayers big time so I am with Peters to give NZTA some of their own medicine. While we are at it force Govt. to fullfil its promises and complete 15th Avenue widening and new Hairini Bridge at Govt's cost.
TOLLS
Posted on 21-09-2016 10:03 | By Rate1
Toll roads is a way of life in Europe and the States, so let's get used to it (as long as the tolls the NZTA collects contributes to Tauranga/Western BOP roading network improvements NOT Aucklands roads.
Simon Bridges Transport MP for Tauranga
Posted on 21-09-2016 18:26 | By StormA
Maybe we have two toll roads because the National MP we voted for is in charge of Transport??
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