Sydney drivers are set to be hit by massive new road toll changes that will see cars charged to cross the famous Harbour Bridge in both directions.
Former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Professor Allan Fels led the independent review of the New South Wales government’s tolls, which was published on Tuesday.
The report suggested Introducing two-way toll SydneyThe Eastern Distributor and the Harbor Bridge and Tunnel will reduce overall toll costs.
Prices across the network could be reduced by revenue created by charging for journeys through the port.
But the move would violate a pre-election pledge by the state’s Labor government not to introduce new tolls for drivers.
He also recommended the creation of NSW Motorways, a state-owned entity that would set prices and promote more competition for toll roads around Sydney.
Professor Fels said the current state operator, Transurban, held a monopoly on toll roads.
“Tolls need a major overhaul. We cannot wait until 2060, when the contracts expire, for that to happen. We need reform and reform must put the interests of motorists first,” he said on Tuesday.
Two-way tolling could be introduced on Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel Road and its eastern distributor
Former ACCC Chairman Professor Allan Fels led the NSW Government’s independent review of tolls
Roads Minister John Graham said he would support breaking his government’s pre-election promise if The report made a “strong case” for doing so.
Professor Fels said equal tolls on all motorways would create a better system than the one that exists now.
“What we need specifically is uniform tolls for all 13 highways, so that they are fairer, more consistent, simpler and more efficient,” he said.
“And that way we will get a better functioning network.”
Professor Fels said Transurban was willing to help reform Sydney’s toll system.
The report added a second option for reducing costs that would build on the first by creating a more significant reduction through “funding sources and efficiency gains in the toll system.”
The report suggested that prices across the Sydney network could be reduced by increased revenue from port tolls.
A trip from Penrith or Parramatta to the CBD currently costs $12.74, but that price could drop to $11.94 or even $7.88 with Professor Fels’ second option.
A trip from Campbelltown to the CBD currently costs $25.98, but that price would drop to $19.58 or $12.79 under the two proposed systems.
Despite the Prime Minister Chris Minns promised that there would be “There will be no new tolls on existing roads” in 2021, Graham said, making the proposal “fair.”
“It is only fair to ask everyone to contribute to solving this problem,” he said.
‘If we’re going to have a single set of tolls across Sydney, the underlying principles should be the same regardless of where you live.
“And that’s not the case with the old toll system.”
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