New Zealand Drivers Will Soon Pay Congestion Charges

The New Zealand government today announced that legislation will be introduced next year to enable “time of use” charges to be imposed on busy roads. Transport Minister Simeon Brown described congestion as “a tax on time and productivity.” “It means that we are away from home for longer, sitting in gridlock. It results in fewer jobs being done, fewer goods being moved, and delays to services across the city. Faster, more reliable travel times will increase productivity and lower costs for businesses and their customers,” he said. “Time of use schemes will improve network efficiency to increase productivity and enable Kiwis and freight to get where they need to go quickly and safely. It is not about raising revenue.”...