Labor promises tradie and truck toll relief

By KeRRI e DAVI e S

NSW Labor will slash tolls for tradies and truck drivers along the M5 East and the M8 if elected in March. NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns said the plan would help to ease the burden of increasing tolls crippling small businesses who need to move around Sydney.

“Currently, trucks and vehicles such as some oversize utes are tolled at three times the rate of cars. Labor will reduce the 3 times truck multiplier to 2 times for up to 10 truck trips per week,” Mr Minns said.

Labor’s toll relief plan is expected to cut the average truck toll by $8, saving a truck driver who does two trips a day, five days a week, a total of $3,800 a year. Mr Minns said cheaper tolls will also incentivise trucks off local suburban roads.

A press release stated that Labor’s plan would be in place for two years, commencing on January 1, 2024. This is short term relief while Labor looks at long term, structural reform to the toll network through the Professor Allan Fels AO led review.

“Each day, trucks make around 8,000 trips on the M5 East and M8, paying $23.95 per trip,” the release stated.

“Trucks are avoiding the newly tolled M5 East and M8, according to an analysis of Transurban trip data.

“Instead, they’re flooding nearby local suburban streets, such as Stoney Creek Road and Forest Road, disrupting local communities and businesses.

“This is a total two year benefit to drivers of $34.1 million.

“Labor’s package gets the balance right between short term, immediate toll relief for truckies and tradies over the next two years and long term reform through a comprehensive review of the tolls network.”

Mr Minns said Labor’s toll relief policy will deliver more toll relief for small businesses, get trucks off local roads and provides a fresh start for our state’s toll network, and the drivers who use them.

“The government’s decision to put a new toll on a 20 year old road is forcing truck drivers to use local roads, causing traffic chaos and congestion and hurting businesses,” Mr Minns said.

“Families have had their lives turned upside down by thousands of B-double trucks hurtling through local roads 24 hours a day because they are now trying to avoid paying the exorbitant tolls caused by Dominic Perrottet and the NSW Liberals.

“It’s also hurting small businesses like tradies who need to move around Sydney for work, that are racking up thousands of dollars in toll bills a year – they can’t afford it anymore.”

Labor Candidate for Badgerys Creek, Garion Thain, said the announcement would be a relief for many tradies.

“As someone with a background in transport, I’ve heard countless times how toll charges squeeze drivers and local businesses,” Mr Thain said.

“I’ve also been hearing from local commuters about the impact the tolls are having on their budgets. Out here we know all too well that Sydney is the most tolled city in the world. This announcement, and the announcement of a $60 weekly cap, is just the start of long term toll reform that Labor will invest in.”