Western Sydney reclaims top ranking as worst for congestion

Now in its 18th year, the survey of 444 NRMA Business members found 78 per cent believed congestion had worsened in the last year and over half (55%) of those said their fleet spent an extra 20-30 minutes in traffic daily compared to a year ago. 

NRMA provides specialised roadside assistance for businesses Australia wide, plus support with fleet management and corporate driver training, and an advocacy voice to almost 23,000 fleet-running businesses. 

For businesses operating around Western Sydney, more than a third (37%) cited challenges due to roads shut down and changed traffic conditions for light rail. 
Congestion is impacting fleet running businesses in multiple ways, with the top concern being more fuel used (64%) followed by time wasted looking for parking spaces (48%) and paying more for tolls (46%).

In an attempt to offset the impact of congestion, businesses continue to allow more time for deliveries and callouts (50%), change travel routes (41%), and reschedule meetings/appointments to avoid peak hour (39%).

Most fleet-running businesses surveyed saw value in using toll roads, with Westconnex (16%), M8 (13%) and M7 (12%) delivering the most time saving benefits for businesses. Over 80 per cent of Sydney respondents say their fleet use toll-roads.

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said fleet running businesses were not only dealing with congestion across Sydney but also volatile fuel prices.

“We know businesses are doing it tough right now and Sydney’s traffic congestion combined with the worst fuel prices on record is creating a nightmare for small businesses,” Mr Khoury said.

“The Federal and State Governments will soon be delivering their 2027 budgets and the NRMA will be looking for further commitments to keep our city moving.

“It is pleasing to see businesses are utilising new infrastructure like Westconnex and the M8, saving time for businesses while also taking traffic off already congested local roads.

“Sydney has done a great job tackling the big infrastructure challenges, however what this research shows us is that we need to keep investing in the local traffic hotspots, which are increasingly holding up our city.”

This year, the NSW Government invested over $41 million in tackling local congestion through its Pinch Point program, which has seen investment top more than $620 million since its inception. The Federal Government committed over $130 million from 2020 to 2024.

Fuel prices are by far the greatest cost for fleet running businesses (77%), followed by rego/insurance (69%) and maintenance and servicing costs (55%). 

To learn more about NRMA Business Motoring, please visit www.mynrma.com.au/business