Stop Pay Toll

That is what the big sign above the Auckland Harbour Bridge Toll Booths from 1959 to 1984 said.

In the 1970s it cost 20c to travel north (south was free). To put that in perspective $20 worth of petrol would run a mini from the outskirts of the North Shore to Newmarket and back for 10 days.

Why did I bring up that little bit of history from my WOF guy?

National's Maurice Williamson made a bit of a gaffe over the weekend.

Well, a huge gaffe really. Here

In his opinion your average motorist would be happy to pay $3 to $5 a journey to travel on uncongested roads.

Simple maths produces the cost of $15 to $50 per week. That can not be compare to the 20c per north bound crossing i.e. $1 per week (equivalent to $1.29 per crossing or $6.45 per week today).

Is this another item on National's secret agenda in spite of John Key's rapid back peddle away from the issue or is Maurice William suffering from a bad case of foot in mouth?

With the ferry fare for crossing the harbour at $10 return or $35 for ten trips he just might be.