Motorists need only half a week to pass $60 toll ‘cap’

October 31, 2024 08:14 | News

Tens of thousands of drivers are claiming more than $300 in rebates as new data shows the extent of tolls paid by Sydney motorists each week.

Blacktown in western Sydney became the first suburb to pass $1 million in total toll relief claimed, followed by Baulkham Hills this week.

Other car-reliant suburbs, such as Auburn, Merrylands, and Marsden Park, are now approaching the same milestone, the NSW government said on Thursday.

They’re among 20 postcodes where more than 35,000 claims, totalling $13 million, have been received.

Each claim is an average of $367.

Private motorists spending more than $60 in tolls in a week can claim the excess back at the end of each quarter, under a ‘toll cap’ introduced by the Minns government.

Data shows motorists claiming toll relief generally hit the $60 mark by midweek.

Professor Allan Fels
A review jointly led by Professor Allan Fels found Sydney motorway tolls were too high. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

More than $60 million has been returned to motorists since the cap came into effect in January, but nearly $100 million is still on the table unclaimed.

A review found in July that toll caps should be axed in a complete overhaul of Sydney’s motorway pricing to benefit commuters and taxpayers.

Jointly led by former competition tsar Allan Fels, the review found Sydney motorway tolls were higher than necessary and the cap was deeply flawed.

The dominance of private toll-road operator Transurban, the only non-government owner of motorways in the state, was also highlighted as an obstacle to competition.

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