Replace Auckland fuel tax with congestion charging

The Herald reports:

The Government has given its clearest indication yet that congestion pricing could be coming to Auckland.

Transport Minister Michael Wood said he would look at all the recommendations from a select committee inquiry into congestion pricing in Auckland, which was published on Friday.

The committee recommended rolling out the charges in Auckland – it also recommended passing legislation to allow other cities in New Zealand to also use congestion pricing.

It puts the ball in the court of Transport Minister Michael Wood and the Government who can now decide what to do with it.

Congestion charging is a smart form of user pays. I’m in favour of it as I support user pays.

But to stop it becoming a revenue grab, the Government should abolish the Auckland fuel tax and replace it with congestion charging.