Then there’s the different rate at which tolls climb each year,or every three months. WestConnex tollssurged by 6 per cent in January because the annual increase is determined by the inflation rate or 4 per cent,whichever is greater.
However,charges on the only two toll roads in government hands,the Harbour Bridge and Harbour Tunnel,haven’t budged since 2009.
Welcome to Sydney’s patchwork tolling regime. It is the result of successive Labor and Coalition governments inking different concession deeds for new motorways,and selling the decades-long tolling arrangements to the likes of Transurban.
With cost-of-living issues at the top of voters’ minds,Labor has repeatedly attacked the Coalition during the campaign over the high cost of tolls. Amid surging inflation,tolls are an easy political target.
Yet,the solution is far from easy. Neither of the state’s main parties is willing to table a proper remedy to the inconsistent and costly motorway charges,which hit western Sydney motorists hardest because they often have little alternative.
The government’s long-touted review into Sydney’s toll regime was originally due to be finalised last September. But it has been repeatedly delayed and now won’t be released until well after the state election.