The NSW Nationals have asserted regional NSW is being ignored at the expense of an expensive toll reform process being undertaken in Sydney.
Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Dave Layzell has criticised the sitting government for spending over $5.4 million on a review of the Sydney toll network that, it says, has not led to any changes.
Layzell says the costs include a payment of almost $1 million for Allan Fels to lead the review, almost $100,000 on flights and $11,000 on taxis and rideshare vehicles.
Layzell believes regional transport is suffering in the state.
“If we look at Labor’s regional transport record, we have seen our only dedicated regional train service provider, NSW Trains, axed to afford a pay rise for Sydney train drivers,” Layzell says.
“That comes on top of disruptions to XPT services, our regional seniors travel card being cut and the cancellation of major road and infrastructure projects.
“It’s a classic case of prioritising Sydney over the regions.”
ATN recently reached out to Transport for NSW regarding the Sydney toll reform project, and how it would improve the network for the use of heavy vehicles.
Part of the Fels-led review recommended boosting the heavy vehicle multiplier on Sydney’s toll roads from three times the light vehicle price to 3.5 times, while the $60 daily cap is ineligible for heavy vehicles.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson told ATN the results of the current two-year Truck Multiplier rebate scheme will further inform heavy vehicle toll prices as reform continues.
“A two-year trial Truck Multiplier rebate is underway for trucks travelling on the M5 East and M8 Motorways. This rebate reduces tolls by one third for trucks, effectively a multiplier of two, not three,” the spokesperson says.
“The trial runs from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025, costing $54 million, to encourage trucks to use motorways instead of local roads and to reduce the impacts on local communities and support the efficient movement of goods.
“Transport for NSW is monitoring traffic on key alternative routes to assess the effectiveness of the trial and utilise the data on behaviour to inform related reform options.”
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