COMMUTERS PAY MORE UNDER LABOR
The NSW Opposition has hit out at the today’s announcement that Labor will increase tolls on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour Tunnel.
The Government’s Toll Review hasn’t recommended increasing these tolls, this clearly indicates that Labor will hike the cost on commuters in order to pay for its Budget of broken promises and lost opportunities.
Increases so far under the Labor Government include:
- Opal Fares have increased on average by 3.7%
- Fees and charges issued by Transport for NSW
- Tolls on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel by 6.8%
With Labor’s plan to reduce capital investment in Sydney’s transport future by 25% over the next four years, it means commuters will be paying more for less in the years to come.
Shadow Minister for Roads Natalie Ward commented “this decision only means one thing for commuters – the Government is coming after your budget to pay for theirs.”
“This Government gives with one hand and takes with the other, increasing tolls to pay for their toll relief package.”
“We know Government expenditure is going to get out of control, so I’d expect more increases or new fees and charges to be introduced, including two-way tolling on the Harbour crossings and even a congestion tax in the CBD.”
In comparing the toll increase today to the Government’s Toll Cap for heavy vehicles using the M5 East and M8, Shadow Minister Ward commented:
“It is ironic for a Minister to talk about equity, when they are offering toll relief to benefit the Premier’s electorate but increasing tolls, fees and charges everywhere else”.
The Opposition has also highlighted a string of broken promises on Toll policy that are yet to be completed by the Government including:
- Removing administration fees on toll notices
- Publicly releasing the base-case financial model for WestConnex and NorthConnex
- Introducing Decision-Point signage on toll roads
