Labor MP accuses Dom Perrottet of trying to hide $180m toll hike
The cost of soaring road tolls in one state is staggering as Aussies battle a cost of living crisis.   


News.com.au
February 7, 2023

A Labor MP has questioned the record price hikes on Sydney’s roads as the latest data reveals drivers paid an extra $180m in tolls in the last year.

Private toll operator Transurban released its half-year results on Tuesday and road revenue was up by almost 60 per cent.

“Tolls have never been this high,” NSW opposition roads spokesman John Graham said.

Toll revenue has spiked by $180m in the last year.

“Sydney was already the most tolled city in the world. Today that situation got worse as these results reveal that record inflation and record toll traffic have driven record toll revenue.”   

Toll revenue from the M4 motorway has increased 44 per cent from $120m to $173m, while the M8 and M5 East rose by 54 per cent, from $88m to $136m.

Northconnex has gone up by 55 per cent, from $52m to $80m, and on the M5 West, toll revenue has climbed 43 per cent, from $118m to $169m.

Mr Graham claims the privatisation of toll roads under the Perrottet government has led to the record tolls.

“This is a problem of the government’s own making – they have signed secret contracts and privatised toll roads,” he said.

Toll revenue from the M4 motorway has soared by $53m.

Mr Graham is calling for reform and the state government’s full toll review to be released to the public.



“Toll reform is needed in Sydney, but the Premier seems to have given up, instead hiding the toll review until after the election,” he said.

“It should be released immediately.”

The half-year market briefing also suggests that future toll road privatisations are possible on the M6, Western Harbour Tunnel, Sydney Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link.

NSW Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward responded to the criticism, saying “increased traffic on Sydney roads is irrefutable proof the economy is bouncing back following the pandemic”.

Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward has asked Labor to present its own toll relief policy.

“It demonstrates drivers are choosing to use these major infrastructure projects because it gives them more time to spend with those they love,” she said.

“These are transformative projects which Labor has opposed every step of the way.”

Ms Ward said Labor had yet to reveal its toll relief policy.

“Labor’s only policy on toll relief so far has been to adopt our toll rebate scheme which is putting up to $750 back in the pockets of Sydney drivers,” she said.

Transurban chief executive Scott Charlton also put the increased revenue down to the increased value of and therefore traffic on the city’s toll roads.

“This result shows that our customers continue to recognise and see substantial value in our assets,” he said.

“What we see with record traffic numbers is that people still see a lot of value in toll roads.”

Now is your chance to demonstrate your critical thinking skills WK. What do you think was the primary cause of the increase in revenue?

One of the things I really like about Perth and WA.

No toll roads. 

Some of the Tolled Freeways have already been paid for by the Tolls and yet they still operate.
About 10 years ago, I saw a list of the amount made from the Tolls at the time and if I remember correctly, the M7 Toll made the most, although it offered 10kms less than the others. The Northern Sydney Tolls also made a lot more than the others.

The sad thing about Sydney is that is poorly planned.
I had the fluke circumstance of actually meeting the person in charge (years ago) of fixing Sydney's Traffic infrastructure and I mentioned that the problem was easy - making Parramatta the major CBD in Sydney so everyone had easy and equal access from all points of the city (like Melbourne) and not have to squeeze into a bottleneck situation to the east into Sydney Harbour.
He said that they did think of that but the $billions involved of restructuring that wasn't feasible (what about the money made from Tolls?).
So I just said, "May the Force be with you then. Because Sydney was built for Boats, not Cars. (etc)"

Thus Sydney is forced to use Tunnels here there an everywhere. I even worked in the pre-stage surveying of one tunnel that they didn't want the public to know about (going under Balmain) because once things officially begin - the public can't stop it with Protests, etc.
I also worked awhile on the Upgrade of Castle Hill that was designed for Horse and Carriage and not the larger Vehicles of today and that took a few years of widening everything.

Personally, I don't see Sydney improving with the majority of the traffic trying to squeeze into...

...[edit] a tiny bottleneck and 'cove'.

As well as no toll roads we also don't have to pay for parking in shopping centres (as far as I'm aware -there's definitely no charge at Belmont Forum, just a 4 hour limit).

https://twitter.com/PMalinauskasMP/status/1623079494327357442

Quote:


You 'Eastern Staters' seem to be getting ripped off big time with toll roads and shopping centre parking fees.

(We do have paid parking at most of our hospitals though - and that's something that only started in the last 10 years or so).

Lisa Jones wrote on Feb 8^th, 2023 at 1:17pm:



Not quite here in Brisbane.
If you are driving a truck from Ipswich to Pinkenba you must use the toll road (Logan mty, gateway extension) which will funnel you to the gateway bridge (toll bridge).
If you drive through town you will be fined.
That is forcing drivers to use the road and bridge, and the trucks pay substantially more than cars.




I also got told the other day by someone high up that you don't have to pay the tolls.
They can't take your licence or impound your vehicle anymore.
The penalties get passed on to spur and they chase you but will fold if you refuse to pay.

Lisa Jones wrote on Feb 8^th, 2023 at 1:49pm:



Started way before her.
It's the corporate government as a whole.

The TPP made it so easy.
You see, if we change the rules and it hinders the profits of this corporation, which it will, they can then sue our government.

http://www.aftinet.org.au/cms/isds-sue-governments-tpp-2013


All done behind closed doors.
Joyess world we live in hey? 

love toll roads .

time is money and time spent in traffic is a loss.

if you value your time at between $50 and  $100 an hour (standard for tradesmen), then a few bucks on a toll is the best money you can spend (and it comes off your tax)