Image: Minister for Roads John Graham. NSW Legislative Council, Facebook.
By LAUREN FROST
The eligibility criteria for the $60 weekly toll cap has been released by the Labor Government with an estimated 720,000 motorists to benefit from the scheme.
To be eligible for the scheme, you must be a NSW resident, have a personal toll account, take private trips, and spend over $60 a week on tolls from your individual tag or licence plate.
Minister for Roads John Graham said, “The $60 dollar toll cap starting January 1 is part of the Minns Labor Government’s number one priority to deliver cost-of-living relief to families at a time when they are doing it tough.”
Eligible motorists will be able to make quarterly claims for rebates through Service NSW from April 2024.
Minister for Customer Service Jihad Dib said “Service NSW will provide a user-friendly experience for motorists to access much-needed toll relief via a quarterly claim.”
The toll cap, which will run as a two-year trial, will benefit Western Sydney commuters the most with 44,000 expected to claim from areas with more limited public transportation, such as Kellyville, Baulkham Hills and Greystanes.
However, the scheme comes with certain caveats, including a “fair use” provision which limits claims to $400 per week, or a maximum rebate of $340 per week.
Additionally, customers registered for the M5 South-West Cashback Scheme will not be able to claim on tolls on the M5 South-West.
Rideshare, taxis, cars registered with businesses and heavy vehicles are also excluded from the scheme and trips made on interstate toll roads, interstate toll accounts, casual toll products or tolls paid outside of an account are not eligible.
“The toll cap criteria has been designed very carefully to prevent anyone trying to game it,” Minister Graham said.
“We are working with rideshare companies to ensure work trips are not claimed. This will include random audits.”
Fortunately, trucks using the M5 East and M8 will benefit from the rebates if they hold a valid E-Toll, Linkt or Eastlink account, receiving a rebate for a third of the trip travelled. This will cost an estimated $54 million over the two-year trial.
Customers registered for the truck rebate will automatically see quarterly toll cap credits applied, commencing April 2024.
The rebates will allow drivers who spend $200 a week on tolls to receive $7,280 back in rebates each year.
Minister Graham announced that “The era of the Liberal Party’s obsession with privatisation, which has led to ‘toll mania’ is over.”
In the meantime, the Minister for Roads says, “We will continue to look at ways to make the toll network more equitable for all with the assistance of the independent Toll Review being led by Professor Allan Fels, one of the toughest customers out there.”
