The NSW government has announced a $60 toll cap it says will benefit nearly three-quarters of a million motorists from January 1.
The upcoming state budget will allocate $561 million over two years to the toll cap, Roads Minister John Graham said on Sunday.
He said it was an election promise delivered, with motorists able to claim back toll costs above $60 a week through a quarterly refund from Service NSW.
"More motorists are going to access the $60 toll cap scheme than originally anticipated and I am very pleased to say more than 700,000 motorway users are now going to benefit," Mr Graham said in a statement.
"Motorists, particularly in western Sydney where access to public transport alternatives have been more limited than in other parts of the city, have been crying out for relief from the ever-rising burden of tolls on the family budget," he said.
Depending on where they live motorists can expect to claim back several hundred dollars a year through the scheme, from an estimated $199 in Gosford to $540 in Glendenning, according to Transport for NSW forecasts.
The NSW government will also proceed with toll rebates for heavy vehicles using the M5 East and M8 tunnels, with implementation on track for January 1.
Trucks will receive a rebate for a third of their trip travelled on the M5 East and M8, costing $54 million over the two-year trial.
The state government is undertaking an independent review of toll roads, led by Professor Allan Fels and Dr David Cousins who will report back with recommendations to make the system safer, fairer and more efficient.
"The Minns Labor government's $60 toll cap is part of ending an era in which government placed more emphasis on growing toll revenue than on helping people get around Sydney without breaking the bank," Mr Graham said.
Australian Associated Press
