It’s estimated that Auckland’s commuters lose an average of 66hrs a year sitting in traffic. That's almost 3 full days away from friends, whānau and the things that matter. Without intervention, this is predicted to get worse in coming years.
Congestion makes it harder for people to get to jobs, for businesses to move goods efficiently, limits business growth and job opportunities. The cost of congestion to Auckland’s economy is estimated at $2.6B.
https://youtu.be/0EqsCnlzx6c?si=pAFgWpZC2cehtCRe
Time of use charging (also known as congestion charging) is being considered - now possible after Government legislation enabled it. It's used in some cities around the world to reduce congestion and improve travel times. It is a charge to use certain roads when they are busiest. As a result, some people choose to use public transport, carpool or travel at a different time of day.
For those who can’t change their plans, they get a quicker, more reliable journey and time back in their day. That small change in the number of vehicles on the road can deliver meaningful improvements in travel time.
Auckland Council is investigating how it could work in Auckland, considering our local needs and challenges. The Transport and Infrastructure Delivery Committee has approved the next steps in exploring how time of use charging could help ease Auckland’s traffic challenges.
The committee has selected three time of use charging options for further consideration. These options focus on areas with good public transport connections, where modelling shows time of use charging could improve journey times.
❓Option A: City Centre Cordon
Trips are charged when crossing into the cordon in the morning rush and leaving in the afternoon rush. Motorway trips and travel within the cordon are not charged.
❓Option B: City Fringe
Trips are charged when crossing into the cordon in the morning rush and leaving in the afternoon rush. The area is expanded from Option A to include commercial areas and some neighbourhoods adjacent to the city centre. Motorway trips and travel within the cordon are not charged.
❓Option C: City Centre and Motorways
Trips crossing into the city centre or travelling on congested core motorway sections (between the Harbour Bridge, Point Chevalier or Mount Wellington) will be charged during peak morning and afternoon travel times. Note - only one charge would apply if travelling from the motorway into the city centre.
You can have your say from Wednesday 11 November to Friday 11 December 2026. Find out more, including how to have your say at
https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/time-of-use-charging
Time of use charging options open for public feedback
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