Tolls threatening operator viability in Sydney

Sydney’s adoption of tunnels and motorways to streamline traffic flow was necessary, but not so popular has been the implementation of tolls on many key roads. Toll costs are crippling for truck operators already working with tight profit margins

The most vocal opposition has come from the insistence that truck traffic must use the NorthConnex tunnel on the M1, as a compulsory alternative to the traffic hell on Pennant Hills Road. While everyone appreciates the improved traffic flow, the tolls are expensive.

Another hot-spot is in the Bexley area, since the realignment of the M5 East and imposition of tolls on that former freeway and the new M8.

National Road Transport Association CEO Warren Clark said NatRoad had told the NSW Government that putting a toll on the former M5 East would force heavy vehicles onto local roads and that’s precisely what has happened. As a result, there’s now a review of the M8 operation.

Sydney's M8 tollway (illustration: Linkt).

“It gives me no satisfaction to say: ‘We told you so’ and it shouldn’t take a study to establish that Forest Road and surrounding streets in Bexley are now choked by cars and trucks,” Mr Clark said.

NatRoad fears the Government will force trucks to use the new M8 toll road and tunnel. Mr Clark said there will be widespread industry anger if the Government used the M8 review to go down the same path as it has with NorthConnex, where trucks not using the tunnel are fined.

NatRoad is a not-for-profit Association that is 100-per cent funded by membership fees and business partnerships. No funding is provided by government or unions and the NatRoad board is made up of individuals who run transport businesses, from owner-drivers to large fleet operators.

“Most heavy vehicle operators moving freight to and from Sydney’s south-west want to use the M8, but the cost of doing so since the lane duplication is prohibitive,” Mr Clark said.

Prohibitive tolls like those on the M8 are forcing trucks onto suburban roads.

“Tolls for a trip by a truck from Port Botany to Liverpool and return on the M8 are $72.80, which is more than half of what a driver would typically earn for a half-day’s work.

“Variable tolls that incentivise off-peak travel, or multi-use discounts, are simple things the Government and toll operators can use, to get trucks back onto tollways,” Mr Clark said.

“That would restore fairness and save communities a lot of grief.

“Truck operators already pay a fuel-based road user charge and registration charges that are between three and 11 times more than those levied on cars.

“There’s a clear community benefit in heavy vehicle operators using tollways, but most drivers are owner-operators working on a profit margin of 2-3 per cent.

“They shouldn’t be loaded up with tolls that are three times greater than those for motor vehicles and bear no relation to the cost of heavy vehicle road use wear and repair.

“If charges reflected the real cost of road maintenance, or the actual savings from using tollways, heavy vehicle operators would be more likely to use them,” Mr Clark concluded.

Tolls threatening operator viability in Sydney

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