Motorists in the Western Sydney suburbs of Blacktown and Baulkham Hills have collectively claimed more than $1 million in toll relief for each suburb under the Minns Labor Government’s $60 weekly toll cap.
Blacktown last week became the first suburb to pass $1 million in total toll relief claimed, followed by Baulkham Hills this week.
Other car-reliant suburbs like Auburn, Merrylands and Marsden Park are now closing in on the same milestone for toll relief.
More than 3,000 motorists in both Blacktown and Baulkham Hills have claimed toll relief so far – evidence that Labor’s $60 weekly toll cap is getting relief to where it is needed in the most heavily-tolled areas of Sydney.
More than 224,000 claims have been made, with $60.5 million already returned to motorists. The average rebate is $284.
More than 11,000 motorists have received quarterly toll relief rebates of more than $1,000 since the program started.
Tolling data shows it is the motorways that get people in and out of Western Sydney that are most commonly used by those claiming toll relief. They are:
- WestConnex
- M2 Hills Motorway
- Westlink M7
Data shows motorists claiming toll relief are generally hitting the $60 toll cap by midweek, with journeys on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays the most common days on which toll journeys are refunded.
There is $60 million in relief available to be claimed for trips made in the third quarter of the year between 1 July 2024 – 29 September 2024.
Toll relief is supporting motorists as the NSW Labor Government works on tolling reform to fix the damage wrought by the toll road privatisation of the former government.
The Liberal Party legacy left a total toll bill of $195 billion in nominal terms that must be paid by motorists out to 2060, on top of the billions they have already paid.
The NSW Government is currently preparing its response to the independent Toll Review of Professor Allan Fels and Dr David Cousins, which described Sydney’s toll road network as an unfair and poorly-functioning patchwork of numerous different price structures, with those in Western Sydney financially impacted the most.
Eligible drivers who have spent more than $60 a week on toll trips since 1 January can claim the toll relief via the Service NSW website with the rebate calculated and claimed each quarter.
Once your toll account details are linked to your MyServiceNSW Account, claims can easily be lodged.
Motorists can claim up to a maximum of $340 per week for each tag or licence plate number, as part of a “fair use” provision in place to ensure the program’s integrity.
People can claim their 2024 toll spend until 30 June 2025.
To claim, visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/claim-the-toll-relief-cap and follow the step-by-step instructions including linking your toll account to your MyServiceNSW Account.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said:
“The $60 toll cap is one of the most important cost-of-living measures the NSW Government is providing, and it is heartening to see that the relief is getting to where it is needed most – Western Sydney.
“We know people are doing it tough, and our toll cap is making it fairer for drivers that heavily rely on toll roads.
“Suburbs like Blacktown, like Baulkham Hills, are the places where paying tolls is really not a choice, it’s a fact of life.
“Motorists have so far claimed more than $1 million in toll refunds in each of these suburbs and we know every dollar is important in stretched family budgets.”
Minister for Roads John Graham said:
“The data tells us that it is the people whose journeys start and end in Western Sydney that are claiming the lion’s share of toll relief, and this is where it is needed most. These suburbs have fewer public transport alternatives.
“Toll relief is rolling out as we progress with toll reform. The current system is a poorly-functioning patchwork of numerous different price structures that has created complexity, inefficiency, inequities and unfairness, with those in Western Sydney financially impacted the most.
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:
“It’s good to see eligible motorists saving an average of $284 per quarter which is a massive boost for household budgets and could make the Christmas bills that little bit more manageable.
“We encourage motorists to apply, the online claims process is easy to use and support is available in Service NSW Centres or by calling 13 77 88.
“I encourage everyone to check their eligibility via the Service NSW website and to make a claim.”