More than 300,000 drivers will benefit from hip pocket relief as the NSW Government expands its successful Toll Relief program, with major winners expected in Sydney’s west and northwest.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announced that from July 1, 2019, drivers who spend $15 or more a week on tolls will be eligible for half-priced vehicle registration. Drivers who spend $25 or more a week on tolls will continue to receive Free Rego. This more than doubles the number of people who can access the scheme.
“We know meeting cost of living pressures are a big challenge for many households and we are committed to doing everything we can to ease those burdens,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“In this year alone, we have given back more than $200 million to people in NSW in cost of living relief and we are always looking for more opportunities to ease pressures for households.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals’ responsible management of the budget and economy has allowed us to put money back into the pockets of hard working people.”
Currently, more than 140,000 motorists are eligible to receive Free Rego. Under today’s announcement, this will increase to a total of more than 300,000 drivers who will be eligible for either half-priced or free registration.
Eligibility will also change to allow multiple tags on the one account to count towards Toll Relief, making it a more generous scheme. For example, families with more than one vehicle registered to an account can pool their total spend to qualify for one half-price or free registration.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government was delivering savings for all motorists while also building the road and rail lines to ensure people can get to and from work more quickly.
“Labor’s cynical program will only benefit drivers on one road and cost taxpayers more than $2.2 billion over 10 years,” Mr Perrottet said. “Our program offers relief to drivers across all toll roads, no matter where they live.”
Minister for Roads Melinda Pavey said the program would be backdated, so eligible motorists will be able to count their toll spend from from July 1, 2018.
“This is about putting money back into the pockets of hardworking motorists,” Mrs Pavey said. “We’re delivering real cost of living savings, unlike Labor and the Opposition Leader who increased the toll on the Harbour Bridge by 33 per cent when he was Roads Minister.”
The program is available for all standard privately registered cars, utes, 4 wheel-drives and motorcycles. Drivers who are not aware that they are eligible will not miss out, as they will be informed when they renew online.
Since Toll Relief took effect on July 1, more than 46,000 drivers have saved about $20 million in Free Rego. The top 10 suburbs are:
- Castle Hill
- Baulkham Hills
- Kellyville
- Blacktown
- Mosman
- Quakers Hill
- West Pennant Hills
- Glenwood
- Cherrybrook
- Glenmore Park
The NSW Government has given back more than $200 million to people in NSW this year alone through its various cost of living rebates and incentives. Highlights include:
- 400,000 people have downloaded the real-time FuelCheck app, which could save drivers $500 a year.
- 665,000 Active Kids vouchers have been issued this year.
- CTP reform is saving motorists around $120 per year on their Green Slips. The average premium is expected to drop to $500 from January 2019.