The New South Wales government has urged Sydney motorists to access its toll road relief scheme as $140 million has gone unclaimed during the first 12 months of the road cost support measure. life.
Drivers who spend more than $60 on tolls per week can claim the excess under a so-called “toll cap” introduced by the Minns Government in January 2024 to help residents of western Sydney.
Roads Minister John Graham said on Monday that while $75 million had been paid to motorists so far, $140 million remained to be claimed.
“I want to remind drivers to go to the Service NSW website and claim the help they are entitled to,” Mr Graham said.
More than 276,000 claims have been paid since the scheme began with an average claim of $277, the government said.
There were 115 suburbs where the average claim was $300 or more, including Parramatta, Lidcombe, Schofields, Westmead, Toongabbie, Merrylands and Auburn.
According to the government, some 720,000 road users now had the right to file a claim.
“We know people are having a hard time and the toll cap makes it a little fairer for drivers who rely heavily on toll roads,” Mr. Graham said, adding that reform talks continued with the private toll road companies.
Commuters are missing out on millions in relief from unclaimed tolls. Pictured is Prime Minister Chris Minns.
In December, the government reached an agreement in principle with toll road operator Transurban for a network-wide pricing system in a bid to ease the impact of toll payments on motorists.
The initial agreement would pave the way for more formal discussions as the parties worked to reach an agreement that would replace existing toll agreements, the government said.
“The New South Wales government is making progress on toll reform to make it fairer overall,” Graham said on Monday.
The NSW Liberal opposition has been contacted for comment.