Road to the future paved with smart charges
Allowing transport companies to use electronic distance recording devices is a bold step toward a more efficient road pricing system.
“The move outlines the Government’s prescription for a modern road funding system,” says Donald Aubrey, Federated Farmers transport spokesperson.
“As the technology becomes viable, electronic road pricing is the obvious long term replacement for both road user charges and fuel excise taxes.
“Although an electronic road pricing system will be in place by early next year, many trucking companies already use electronic devices and data collection systems to manage their businesses.
“Electronic distance recording devices cut down on the compliance costs associated with purchasing road user charges. This can only be good for our economy and the country’s most productive sector – agriculture.
“Transport companies are an important partner to any farming business. Lower freight rates inevitably mean a more profitable farming sector, which in turn leads to a more prosperous New Zealand,” Mr Aubrey concluded.