New toll relief for drivers
NSW drivers will save up to $750 a year on tolls under a new relief package to ease cost of living pressures.
About half a million NSW motorists will receive cash rebates paid quarterly into their bank accounts under the NSW Government’s Toll Rebate Scheme to be included in this month’s Budget.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the new scheme would see more NSW motorists benefit from targeted payments compared with the existing Registration Relief Scheme.
“This new program will provide more relief, more often to more motorists. The number of road users receiving toll relief will more than double. Almost 300,000 extra drivers will benefit,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Our strong economy means we can ease cost of living pressures by ensuring there will be many more drivers eligible for relief especially in areas across western, northwestern and southwestern Sydney.
“This is a fairer and more equitable system based more closely on the amount a motorist actually spends on tolls. Motorists will receive up to $750 back each year.”
Under the new relief package, motorists will receive a 40 per cent rebate for tolls incurred once they spend more than $375 in a year. The maximum annual benefit for each customer will be $750.
The program will be in place for an initial two-year period, while the government finalises and implements long term tolling reforms.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the new toll relief measures would make travelling on the State’s roads more affordable.
“These rebates will improve the affordability of toll road travel for individuals, families and small businesses,” Mr Kean said.
“Tolling enables major new and upgraded motorways to be delivered years and even decades ahead of time. This package will put money back in motorists’ bank accounts to help ease cost of living pressures.”
Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the toll rebates would also reduce congestion on key arterial roads.
“NSW motorists will be able use NSW’s state-of-the-art motorway network to get where they need to go faster and more reliably while receiving money back to help deliver cost of living relief,” Mrs Ward said.
“This system aims to optimise Sydney’s motorway network to ensure families and small businesses who rely on our roads for their daily commutes spend less time in traffic and more time at home or servicing their customers.”
For tolls incurred up to 30 June 2022, road users can continue to receive vehicle registration relief until 30 June 2023. For tolls incurred from 1 July 2022, customers can access the new program and will receive their first rebate payment in early 2023, followed by quarterly payments.
The M5 South West Cashback Scheme will continue.
The Toll Reform Review will continue to consider further policy reform options.
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