Tolls will be cut on several of Sydney’s major motorways in a major road shake-up, following a landmark government deal with private toll operators ahead of the state election.
NSW drivers have been told they can expect to save between 10-20 per cent on some road trips after the state government announced a new road toll reform.
As part of the agreement, private toll road owners will contribute $75m over five years towards the weekly toll cap.
The deal builds on the existing reforms, which include the permanent $50 weekly toll cap.
Drivers can expect to start saving money on tolls from July next year.
The roads and savings listed by the state government include 10 per cent on the Lane Cove Tunnel, 10 per cent on the M2 for longer journeys (80 per cent of trips), 10 per cent reduction on the M7 distance cap (from January 1, 2028), 20 per cent reduction on the Cross City Tunnel when the Western Harbour Tunnel opens in 2028, and a 50 per cent reduction for motorcyclists on all motorways progressively from July 1, 2027.
“This agreement means a modest reduction in tolls for motorists, builds on the permanent weekly toll cap and is another step towards a fairer toll network,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said.
“We know people in Western Sydney and across Sydney rely on toll roads every day to get to work, school and home.
“Every dollar saved makes a difference.”
As part of the deal, heavy vehicles will pay 3.15 times the light vehicle toll across the network and that motorcycles will pay a reduced 0.5 times the light vehicle toll.
But the NSW Opposition, ahead of the fight for next year’s election, have called the reforms “half-done” and “disappointing”.
Opposition Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Natalie Ward said the reductions are a “fairly shocking admission” after “three and a half years and empty promise after empty promise”.
“This is hardly the radical reform that was promised by Chris Minns and Labor with 60 per cent of drivers still waiting for any benefit and other drivers unable to even buy a coffee with what they’ll save.”
The Opposition, while they continue to review the proposed deal, highlighted that despite the new deal, four new tolls will be introduced across Sydney, the Western Harbour Tunnel, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Sydney Harbour Tunnel and the Eastern Distributor.
It was also stated that taxpayers will be “on the hook” to pay up to $600m to Transurban directly and that 60 per cent of drivers would receive no benefit under the terms of the deal.
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