An Auckland driver has become the first to be convicted for
repeated failure to pay to drive along the Northern Gateway
Toll Road between Orewa and Puhoi.
Robert Masaberg, from Snells Beach, was convicted in the
North Shore District Court of 20 charges of failing to pay a
toll and ordered to pay $1156 in fines, court and prosecution
costs.
He owes $5181 in unpaid tolls for the Northern Gateway Toll
Road, unpaid administration fees and additional costs
connected with attempts to get him repay his debt.
Mr Masaberg did not appear to defend the charges, but the
court said it accepted NZ Transport Agency evidence of his
repeated non-payment of tolls and ruled that the charges had
been proven.
NZ Transport Agency spokesman Ewart Barnsley said they would
"see how effective yesterday's court decision is" before
considering whether to bring further charges against Mr
Masaberg.
An NZTA spokeswoman said charges sent a clear message to
others who evade making toll payments, and the organisation
plans to prosecute three other people - one owing $3780, and
the others $900 and $500.
The Automobile Association supported the NZTA's decision to
prosecute the driver.
Tolls collected on the Northern Gateway, which opened in
January 2009, are used to repay the cost of constructing the
road.
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