- A study for the New Zealand Transportation Agency found that highway users pay only 40% of total roadway infrastructure costs, representing a $1.5 billion dollar annual subsidy. This results from different ownership models for different transport infrastructure. Ports are largely operated commercially, providing a financial return on economic investments (capital and land). The rail network is state owned and receives an explicit $90 million annual subsidy to cover operating costs. In contrast, the highway network is estimated to be worth $20 billion, but user fees provide no return on capital investments. This makes highway travel in general and truck shipping in particularly relatively cheaper than its competitors.