Motorists in one of the most-tolled cities in the world have claimed about $10m in tolling rebates, with suburbs in Sydney’s west and northwest saving the most.
The NSW government’s toll cap, which means private drivers will only pay a maximum weekly limit of $60 on toll roads was an election promise that began on January 1, with drivers able to claim back the amount spent over the cap every quarter.
The Sydney suburbs which claimed the largest amount in tolls were largely located in Sydney’s northwest and west.
Located about 30km northwest of the CBD, motorists in Baulkham Hills claimed a total of $222,463, with an average claim amount of $315.10.
The western Sydney suburb of Blacktown, about 34km from the CBD, came in second, claiming $212,152 in rebates, with an average claim of $321.93.
The western Sydney suburb of Auburn had the largest average claim of $600.51, with residents in nearby Lakemba reporting an average claim amount of $516.33.
Sydney suburbs that claimed the most back in tolls
1. Baulkham Hills – $222,463 claimed out of 706 total claims. Average claim – $315.10
2. Blacktown – $212,152 claimed out of 659 total claims. Average claim – $321.93
3. Marsden Park – $196,844 claimed out of 555 total claims. Average claim – $354.67
4. Auburn – $194,564 claimed out of 324 total claims. Average claim – $600.51
5. Merrylands – $190,828 claimed out of 445 total claims. Average claim – $428.83
6. Quakers Hill – $155,753 claimed out of 496 total claims. Average claim – $314.02
7. Castle Hill – $153,210 claimed out of 525 total claims. Average claim – $291.83
8. Kellyville – $134,130 claimed out of 468 total claims. Average claim – $286.60
9. Greystanes – $129,795 claimed out of 460 total claims. Average claim – $282.16
10. Lakemba – $121,337 claimed out of 235 total claims. Average claim – $516.33
NSW Roads Minister John Graham said the toll cap getting relief to where it’s needed the most.
He urged eligible drivers to link their toll account with Service NSW to take advantage of the cost-of-living relief.
“This means much-needed dollars in the pockets of drivers across western Sydney, those areas where people have little other choice than to use toll roads and where public transport alternatives are not as viable as in other parts of Sydney,” he said.
In March, it was revealed NSW residents are forecast to spend $123bn on toll roads by 2060, according to an interim report into the state’s toll roads.
The report, which is being authored by former Australian Competition & Consumer Commission chair Allan Fels, and David Cousins will guide the NSW government in its overhaul of Sydney’s privatised tolling network.
The government has yet to commit to any of the interim recommendations, however has flagged the potential for distance-based tolling scheme.
It has also ruled out axing the toll cap, and adding two-way tolling on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.