Transport for NSW has released data on its light vehicle $60 toll cap rebate scheme, and the numbers show just how effective toll relief can be in easing financial pressures on road users.
Heavy vehicles are ineligible for the $60 toll cap, with eligibility restricted to private-use, Class A vehicles.
There is currently a two-year Truck Multiplier rebate underway for trucks travelling on the M5 and M8 motorways that reduces truck tolls by one third, effectively making heavy vehicles pay a two-times multiplier on toll rates as opposed to three.
Since the $60 cap was introduced on January 1st, 2024, $75 million has been paid to motorists – however the total that can be claimed exceeds $215 million.
Over 276,000 claims have been paid out, with the average claim returned to motorists standing at $277.
The western suburb of Blacktown has seen motorists experience the most relief, with a total of $1.25 million paid across 3723 claims at an average amount of $336.
Auburn residents are receiving, on average, a leading $579 per claim, with over $1 million paid out across under 2000 claims in the region.
“The quarterly data keeps telling us that it is the people whose journeys start and end in Western Sydney who are claiming the lion’s share of toll relief, and this is where it is needed most,” Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib says.
“Drivers from the Central Coast, Blue Mountains and Wollongong are also benefitting in great numbers, showing just how far and wide the benefits are flowing.”
The continued news of extensive toll relief to light vehicle and private motorists has come in the wake of an independent report commissioned by the NSW government in which an increase to the heavy vehicle toll multiplier from three times to 3.5-times was recommended.
When ATN reached out to Minister for Roads John Graham in late 2024, a Transport for NSW spokesperson said the current truck rebate trial would inform any decision made on the future of heavy vehicle toll multipliers.
“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 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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