Thousands of Central Coast residents will qualify for toll relief under the $60 toll cap, confirmed in the 2023-24 NSW Budget, to commence on January 1, 2024.
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch MP said the toll relief would fulfill an election promise.
“Our motorists – whose access to public transport alternatives are more limited than in other parts of the state – have been crying out for relief from the ever-rising burden of tolls on the family budget,” she said.
“Motorists who spend above $60 per week will be able to claim back their spend above this amount, via a quarterly refund from Service NSW.
“We know how tough it is out there, and ‘toll mania’ is an unpopular legacy we’ve inherited.
“On the Central Coast, the postcode of 2250, including suburbs such as Gosford, Erina and Kulnura, is where most drivers by number will benefit, with 7,406 accounts entitled to the cap benefit in 2024.”
Tesch said 31 per cent of accounts would be able to claim an average of $200 per year each in the 2024 calendar year.
“Labor’s $60 toll cap is part of ending an era in which government placed more emphasis on growing toll revenue than helping people get around without breaking the bank,” she said.
One Umina Beach resident said the impact of the toll cap relief would be strongly felt by her family.
“Travel-related costs affect our family significantly right now,” she said.
“Between my husband and I, I would estimate we’re sometimes spending as much as $1,000 on tolls each week.
“With the cost of tolls, plus increasing fuel costs, we’re wasting a lot of money.
““The savings we will make with the toll cap are going to be super helpful for us.”
Source:
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch