National industry body sees approach as ‘unacceptable and unsustainable’
The tactic of state governments allowing the dumping of road toll hikes mostly on trucking while avoiding the electorally difficult option on sharing the load has alarmed the Australian Trucking Association (ATA).
The issue gained impetus last week with the Victorian Transport Association’s (VTA) angered response to roads firm Transurban’s swingeing toll cost rises.
But it has been bubbling away in other states, such as Western Australia, where there is disquiet at the amount truckowners will pay for Perth Freight Link access,
and South Australia, where the Liberals’ GlobeLink infrastructure proposal has a tolling aspect.
“The ATA and its members are extremely concerned about the dramatic increase in truck tolls compared to charges for light vehicles,” an ATA spokesperson tells ATN.
“It is unacceptable and unsustainable.
“We expect that tolls will be a hot topic on the agenda at Trucking Australia 2017, to be held in Darwin from 21-23 June.
“At the meeting, members of the industry will have their say about the ATA’s priorities and develop action plans for us to work on carrying out.
“Registrations for Trucking Australia 2017 will open shortly.”