Aucklanders be warned - a new toll on motorists in the city centre just moved closer.
A select committee inquiry is recommending the Government roll out congestion pricing to help unclog the city. And other cities could be close behind.
Right now most of the country is congestion-free. But when alert level restrictions ease it's a different story especially in our largest city.
"I think Auckland has the worst congestion problems in the country," Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says.
The traffic woes are spurring the Government to launch a select committee inquiry into congestion charging in Auckland.
That report recommends it should implement a region-wide strategic corridors scheme starting in the city centre.
It suggested an access charge would apply once per journey in peak times. Cameras with number plate recognition technology would monitor and bill drivers.
Goff is on board.
"What congestion charging would do according to the reports is reduce the traffic on the main artillery routes to about the level it is in the school holidays," Goff says.
His constituents are on the fence.
"If that's where we're having that's a good idea, I'd rather have a planet," one person says.
"There's enough going on in our world at the moment then throwing congestion taxes on us," another says.
The report also recommends allowing other cities to use some form of pricing too. Step up Wellington.
"We have congestion in simple terms," Wellington mayor Andy Foster laughs.
The council would consult with the community first.
"Congestion will only get worse as our population grows, we can't build out of it," Foster says.
But residents aren't convinced.
"It depends on how expensive this charge is," one says.
"I've lived in London where they had that, it was a bit of a pain," another adds.
But for any of that to happen the Government needs to decide if it will follow through with the recommendations it will make that call by the end of the year.
Goff says if it does get the greenlight charging could start in the mid-2020s when more public transport alternatives are available.
