Motorway Toll Cash Rebates Welcome Relief

The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), the peak body representing councils in Greater Western Sydney, welcomed news that cash rebates under the government’s $60 weekly motorway toll cap were finally flowing to Western Sydney motorists.

WSROC President, Councillor Barry Calvert said WSROC had been advocating for road toll relief for many years, urging the government to make toll roads simpler and fairer.

“Western Sydney councils have lobbied hard on this issue because, on average, Western Sydney residents travel further to access jobs, services and recreation,” Councillor Calvert said.

“Tolls represent the second largest cost for most households in Western Sydney.

“Eligible drivers who have spent more than $60 a week on toll trips since 1 January can now claim toll relief via the Service NSW website with the rebate calculated and claimed each quarter.

“Suburbs including Blacktown, Marsden Park, and Merrylands are benefitting from the greatest number of toll relief claims under the scheme, with Auburn drivers receiving the largest average toll relief of $554 for the three months between 1 April 2024 and 30 June 2024 alone.

“The people of Western Sydney are more greatly impacted by tolls than other parts of Sydney, due to the region’s lack of public transport coverage and capacity.

“In effect, road tolls and the fuel excise disproportionately burdened Western Sydney households, who are already contending with soaring energy costs, runaway rents and food price inflation.

“Toll rebates will provide much needed relief in the short run.

“In the long run we hope to work with the NSW Government to improve public transport services so that Western Sydney residents have greater choice in how they travel to work.

“In the meantime, I encourage Western Sydneysiders to sign up for toll rebates via Service NSW.”

Visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/claim-the-toll-relief-cap and follow the step-by-step instructions, including linking your toll account to your MyServiceNSW Account, to claim.

WSROC made submissions in 2023 to the Independent Toll Review led by Professor Allan Fels and Dr David Cousins.

Go to www.wsroc.com.au and search ‘Fels motorway toll review recommendations’ - or go to the link bit.ly/WSROC_toll_review for details.

• Topics:

• Motoring
• Living and Lifestyle