The New Zealand Transport Agency is planning to introduce texting as a toll payment option on the Northern Gateway Toll Road.

The move is aimed at easing toll payments for the motorists as well as avoiding long queues at cash payment kiosks.

The toll road is used by over 73% motorists travelling between Northland and Auckland who currently use pre-paid, online, freephone or cash methods for toll payments.

The agency says it is seeking bids from companies to develop the mobile phone text-based payment solution.

The system would comply with the road-user rule banning the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving, which will take effect from November this year.