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Latest Tax On Motorists Won't Work


Latest Tax On Motorists Won't Work

Author: NRMA MediaDate: 27 January 2009

Time-of-day tolling being forced on motorists today is nothing more than a new tax which will do nothing to improve congestion.

NRMA President Wendy Machin said the State Government was about to embark on one of the most significant road changes in years without providing the public with any evidence it would help reduce congestion.

"Years of public transport neglect mean that many Sydneysiders have no choice but to drive, which is why time-of-day tolling won't work," Ms Machin said.

Time-of-day tolling on the Harbour crossings heading south is being introduced only months after former NSW Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal ridiculed a report calling for congestion taxes as 'armchair advice from academics in ivory towers'.

Six months ago even the Government was ridiculing congestion taxes, yet today one has been forced on a public that does not want it," Ms Machin said.

"Time-of-day tolling will not help reduce congestion because there is no incentive for motorists to adjust their behaviour - even if they had a choice to do so.

"The Government is making motorists pay $1 more during peak hour in an attempt to get people to drive later, yet the toll in the middle of the day has not fallen.

"Even if it was to fall the reality is most motorists have to drive at the time they do to start work, collect their children from school or meet an appointment.

"With public transport options in north-west Sydney so scarce leaving the car at home is simply not an option for many."

Recent research of small businesses by NRMA's BusinessWise found:

  • Only three per cent believe time-of-day tolling would make driving simpler
  • 61 per cent believe it would increase transport costs; and of those 35 per cent would eventually pass those costs on to the public
  • Only 13 per cent can adjust trip times to avoid the increased toll

The NRMA is calling on the NSW Government to reverse the policy and give assurances to the public that time-of-day tolling will not be introduced on other toll roads.

"The RTA and Government have not provided any detailed information and modelling about how this tax on motorists will reduce congestion," Ms Machin said.

"If the Government is serious about fighting congestion it would improve the city's public transport.

"It would build more park and ride facilities at local train, bus and ferry interchanges so that motorists can use public transport for the majority of their journey.

"And it would fast-track the construction of missing links in our road network like the M4 East, the F6 Extension, the M2 to F3 link and the upgrade of the M5."

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