InterCity Group welcomes the new Northern Gateway Toll Road

Great Sights Coach journeys North now cut by 15 minutes.

Release Date: Monday January 19th, 2009

As one of Northland's critical transport infrastructure operators, InterCity Group welcomed the opening this weekend of the new Northern Gateway Toll Road between Orewa and Puhoi.

The Toll Road is expected to cut around 15 minutes off the journey time for its Great Sights tourist Coaches which travel North and South daily between Auckland and Paihia. It will also drastically reduce holiday period traffic jams for all northbound traffic said Malcolm Johns, Chief Executive Officer of InterCity Group.

"The current road from Orewa through Waiwera has struggled to cope with traffic levels for some time now and has given Northland a negative perception in the critical Auckland market. The Northern Gateway Toll Road is fantastic news for the tourism industry north of Auckland and will make these regions even more accessible."

InterCity is dedicated to continuing to operate substantial transport infrastructure across Northland, both public and tourist transport.

Johns continued, "Currently only 1 in 5 international tourists arriving in Auckland head North, the majority head south and miss Northland. In addition there are still many Aucklanders who I am sure have not explored the fantastic scenery and attractions sitting right on their doorstep in Northland. There is a real depth and breadth to the tourism experiences on offer across Northland and the opening of the Northern Gateway Toll Road is a positive step toward correcting these issues and growing the Northland economy.

"We are especially pleased that the Toll Road will be opening on schedule. In September of this year, we will be introducing a brand new $12 million, five-storey overnight small ship to the Bay of Islands. With more than 4,000 passengers already booked to travel on the vessel during the 2009/2010 season, and many of them taking advantage of our coaches to reach the ship, the new Northland Gateway will make the journey north faster and smoother which is great news for all."