Toll Road a Disaster for Tourists

24/02/2009 7:08:01

The Land Transport Agency is frustrated that some drivers are having problems with the Northern Gateway toll road, north of Auckland.

Rental company Scotties is discouraging customers from using the new highway because many have had trouble using overseas credit cards to pay the toll or have found the kiosks out of order.

Scotties says the LTSA is cheating tourists who can make the trip quicker on the free road..

But Andy Knackstedt of Land Transport says rental car companies in other countries have come to terms with electronic toll roads.

"The trend worldwide for toll roads is towards fully electronic roads and away from cash-based roads. Now, rental car companies in other parts of the world, in Australia, Europe and North America all have mechanisms in place that allow their customers to use toll roads."

Mr Knackstedt says LTA expects New Zealand car rental companies to do the same thing.

Welcome

Annie and Keith welcome you to Scotties new blog. We own a car rental company in Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand.

We have been operating for 22 years now and specialise in giving overseas travellers a real taste of kiwi life.