Kiwi drivers add more than 11 working days to their year

Kiwi drivers add more than 11 working days to their year

Auckland, 1 April 2015 – TomTom today releases its annual Traffic Index, revealing that the average congestion levels across New Zealand cities are increasing year on year. The results of the 2014 index also show that, on average, New Zealanders are adding more than 11 working days[1](88 hours) to their year by sitting in traffic.

Aucklanders are wasting the most time in the car[2], spending an additional 95 hours a year on their commute, followed closely by Wellingtonians at 93 hours and Cantabrians at 77 hours.

The results of the Index cover nine major cities across New Zealand and Australia, with TomTom Traffic data demonstrating none of the cities in the region have improved traffic congestion levels since last year’s Index results.

Auckland comes in as the second most congested city in the region, with an overall congestion level of 32%, increased by 3% from 2013. Congestion in Christchurch has also increased by 2% to 28% and Wellingtonians experienced a 1% increase in congestion to 29%.

Australia and New Zealand’s most congested cities

1. Sydney 35%

2. Auckland 32%

3. Wellington 29%

4. Melbourne 28%

5. Perth 27%

6. Christchurch 28%

7. Adelaide 25%

8. Brisbane 25%

9. Canberra 17%

According to the TomTom Traffic Index, Aucklanders and Cantabrians suffer through their longest commute on Tuesday mornings. While congestion in the afternoon peak hour is worse than the morning work rush on nearly every day of the week.

Wellingtonians spend the most time in the car on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, while Friday is the quietest day to commute in all three of our major cities.

“TomTom’s mission is to reduce traffic congestion for everyone,” says Phil Allen, General Manager, TomTom Licensing, SE Asia and Oceania. “Road authorities and local governments can use TomTom’s traffic data to better manage traffic flow during the rush hour. We can help businesses plan smarter working hours to help their employees avoid travelling during rush hour. And we give drivers the real-time traffic information and smart routing they need to avoid congested roads and get there faster.”

Congestion levels are increasing on a global level and New Zealand is following this trend. Istanbul topped the list as the most congested cities in the world and Auckland came in 41st in the global rankings.

Below is the ranking of the New Zealand and Australian cities in the top 146 world’s most congested cities list:

Traffic Index findings 2013 - 2014

To find out more information on the Traffic Index please visit: www.tomtom.com/trafficindex

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Notes to Editors:

This year TomTom has expanded its Traffic Index to 218 cities in 36 countries. For the first time, the Index includes traffic information for China, Romania, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, and United Arab Emirates in one comprehensive report. The Traffic Index is based on data over the year of 2014.

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