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Oil pump - Source: Reuters
The high cost of fuel is expected to hamper the travel plans of many Kiwis this Easter.
New Zealand Transport Agency Regional Director for Auckland, Stephen Town, says people may consider not travelling as far or at all over the break because of the cost of petrol.
Town says more than 100,000 trips were recorded on the northern toll road alone over the Easter break last year, with Thursday and Good Friday the busiest days.
That number is expected to be lower this year because the cost of travelling is out of reach for many families.
Responses to a tvnz.co.nz messageboard indicate many New Zealanders will be staying at home for the long weekend.
PhillipNewmanNZ said: "My family normally go up North for the Easter break but this year it would just cost too much. With the increase of the cost of living the Easter break was the first thing to go out of the family budget."
RustyDog says travel is also not an option for his family.
"Living in Christchurch it would be great to have a break and get away for a few days, but thanks to the absurd fuel prices and cost of living in general a large portion of the public will be lucky to keep warm let alone travel anywhere."
Still, traffic volumes on roads north of Auckland, for example, are expected to increase 50% over the four-day weekend and Town is advising motorists to plan their travel to avoid delays and congestion.
He says the busiest section of State Highway One is the Northern Gateway Toll road between Puhoi and Warkworth, north of Auckland.
Has the high cost of fuel spoilt your Easter holiday
travel plans? Have your say on the messageboard below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentlimebud said on 2011-04-20 @ 12:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
So the NZTA have finally recognised that a sole dependence on driving and imported petrol is a cost we can no-longer afford. Wouldn't it be nice if this was reflected in their funding? Meanwhile down in Wellington they demand the council blindly toe the party line of spending 100s of millions on a road that will only shift the congestion a few hundred meters while destroying the Basin Reserve. When is the National government going to step up and provide some alternatives to this 1960s vision?
philipnewmannz said on 2011-04-20 @ 09:06 NZDT: Report abusive post
My family normally go up north for the easter brake but this year it would just cost to much. With the increase of the cost of living the easter break was the first thing to go out of the family budget.
Rustydog said on 2011-04-20 @ 09:03 NZDT: Report abusive post
Living in Christchurch it would be great to have a break and get away for a few days, but thanks to the absurd fuel prices and cost of living in general a large portion of the public will be lucky to keep warm let alone travel anywhere!!!