Almost three-quarters of a million motorists who will benefit from the Minns Labor government’s toll relief scheme are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with the claims process and eligibility criteria released today.
The $60 weekly toll cap, starting Monday 1 January next year, is targeted cost-of-living relief, with claims for rebates to be made quarterly through Service NSW from April 2024.
The scheme, which is expected to be used by 720,000 motorists, is designed to provide toll relief where it is needed most, with motorists in Western Sydney where public transport options are fewer benefiting the most:
- Kellyville is forecast to have the most motorists to benefit, with 13,240 account holders expected to claim.
- Baulkham Hills has an expected 10,952 account holders claiming.
- Greystanes has an expected 10,366 accounts holders claiming.
To be eligible, you must:
- be a NSW resident
- hold a personal toll account with a NSW toll service provider, taking private trips, and
- spend more than $60 a week from your individual tag or licence plate on tolls on eligible trips.
This includes any private trips taken on a NSW toll road, excluding those on the M5 South-West for customers registered for the M5 South-West Cashback Scheme at the same time.
Rideshare, taxis, cars registered with businesses and heavy vehicles are not eligible for the rebate.
Customers eligible for the scheme will have to register and claim through Service NSW. Quarterly rebates will be transferred to an account holder’s nominated bank account starting from early April.
Drivers who spend on average $200 per week from their individual tag or licence plate on tolls can expect to receive approximately $7280 in rebates per year.
A fair use provision will ensure the integrity of the scheme, with motorists able to claim up to $400 in tolls – or a maximum rebate of $340 a week. Anything above this limit will not be refunded.
Trips made on interstate toll roads, interstate toll accounts, casual toll products or tolls paid outside of an account are not eligible.
Trucks using the M5 East and M8 will benefit from toll rebates on track for Monday 1 January 2024.
The ‘truck multiplier’ rebate includes all NSW and interstate registered trucks that travel on the M5 East and M8 with a valid E-Toll, Linkt or Eastlink account.
These trucks will receive a rebate for a third of their trip travelled on the M5 East and M8, costing an estimated $54 million over the two-year trial.
Customers registered for the truck rebate will automatically see the toll cap credits applied to their toll account quarterly starting in April 2024.
Registrations and claims for the $60 toll relief cap will open in April 2024 via Service NSW. Toll spend from Monday 1 January 2024 will be automatically included.
To find out if you are eligible for the $60 toll cap rebate, visit the Service NSW website.
The NSW Government is currently undertaking an independent review of toll roads, led by Professor Allan Fels AO and Dr David Cousins AM who will report back with recommendations to make the system simpler, fairer and more efficient.
The $60 Toll Cap scheme is set to run as a trial for 2 years.
Minister for Roads John Graham said:
“The $60 dollar toll cap starting 1 January is part of the Minns Labor government’s number 1 priority to deliver cost-of-living relief to families at a time when they are doing it tough.
“Motorists in western Sydney where access to public transport alternatives are more limited than in other areas will benefit the most from this targeted toll relief.
“This is another election promise delivered and I am happy that nearly three-quarters of a million people will access rebates in 2024.
“The era of the Liberal Party’s obsession with privatisation, which has led to ‘toll mania’ is over and 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.
“The toll cap criteria has been designed very carefully to prevent anyone trying to game it. We are working with rideshare companies to ensure work trips are not claimed. This will include random audits.”
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.
“Eligibility criteria is simple: you must be a NSW resident, a private motorist, hold a personal toll account, reach $60 in spend a week on eligible trips and you will be able to claim.
“Western Sydney will particularly reap the benefits that they deserve with over 44,000 motorists eligible in Kellyville, Baulkham Hills, Greystanes and Moorebank.”
