Following the NSW Government announcing new legislation, NatRoad has welcomed proposed reforms to NSW’s oppressive road toll system.
- Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to receive the latest news and classifieds from Australia’s transport industry.
- Don’t miss a second and subscribe to our monthly Deals on Wheels magazine.
- Sell your truck with Australia’s #1 truck classifieds
The proposed reforms include the creation of a new state-owned tolling entity ‘NSW Motorways’ to oversee a reformed toll network.
An independent pricing watchdog ‘IPART’ is also proposed to monitor toll prices and work towards establishing a new independent, industry-wide tolling customer ombudsman.
NatRoad CEO Warren Clark says the changes are a relief for the road transport industry.
“What was announced today is in line with what NatRoad has been calling for over 6 years. I’m pleased to see so many of our recommendations finally being taken up,” he says.
“The recognition from NSW Minister John Graham that Sydney is the most tolled place on earth is also important.
“We can’t continue with a situation in which transport companies are spending millions on tolls, as was highlighted in a report this week.”
In the same report, one company reported spending over $7m on tolls annually. Multiple operators are spending over a million.”
Clark says members don’t have a choice but to pay the tolls, and small businesses operating on tight margins don’t have the economic bargaining power to simply pass on all higher costs.
Introducing independent price monitoring is an important step but must be followed by further reform.
“Ultimately we need a system where new tolls must be subject to independent regulation and the heavy vehicle toll multiplier is reduced to be more reflective of actual costs,” he says.
“We need to see multiple trip discounts, off-peak incentivised pricing and a clear commitment to reduce business costs and the cost of living.”
Clark says that unfortunately even with the introduction of these proposed reforms, road users will continue to pay the same price at the toll booth.
Read more:
- Changing the stigma on truckies one colourful rig at a time
- Restored Kenworths praise 90s rap legends and fight for change
- STA Trucking’s Kenworth T909 won hearts and took home titles
- Rigs roll in from far and wide for Sunnyvale Vintage Day
- The Young Show Society’s 150th celebration went off with a bang
Check out the Deals on Wheels Facebook here.