New Year Toll Relief Boost for Car-Dependent Suburbs

Motorists in Western Sydney suburbs located nearby one or more tolled motorways are benefitting most from toll relief after 12 months of the Minns Labor Government's $60 weekly toll cap.

There are now five suburbs in the $1 million club where paid claims total $1 million or more - Blacktown, Baulkham Hills, Auburn, Merrylands and Marsden Park.

The NSW Government is today urging drivers everywhere to familiarise themselves with the toll relief claim process because there is a little under twice as much money available to be claimed in relief than has so far been paid out under the scheme.

Since the cap was introduced on 1 January 2024, $75 million has been paid to motorists but the total that can be claimed exceeds $215 million - leaving $140 million still to be claimed as of today.

Toll relief has become a key cost-of-living support measure under the Minns Labor Government after the Liberals left behind a total toll bill of $195 billion in nominal terms that must be paid by motorists out to 2060 on top of the billions they have already paid.

The Government is progressing toll reform in negotiation with the private toll road concessionaires while providing vital toll relief through the $60 cap.

In Marsden Park, it is estimated that motorists are eligible to claim $3.1 million but have so far been paid out just over $1 million, leaving $2.1 million to be returned. Likewise in Greystanes, eligible toll relief is approximately $1.97 million, with over $660,000 so far returned to drivers, according to Transport for NSW data.

With the claim period for the fourth quarter of 2024 having opened on January 9, there are now 720,000 toll road users eligible to make a claim.

A little over 276,000 claims have been paid out, with $277 being the average claim returned to motorists.

There are 115 suburbs where the average claim is $300 or above, including, Parramatta, Lidcombe, Schofields, Westmead, Toongabbie, Merrylands and Auburn.

As part of a "fair use" provision in place, motorists can claim up to a maximum of $340 per week for each tag or licence plate number after they pass $60 paid on tolls in any one week.

Claims for quarter four of 2024 (30 September to 29 December) opened on Thurs 9 January 2025 with eligible motorists able to claim for 2024 toll spend until Monday 30 June 2025.

Drivers who have spent more than $60 a week on toll trips are encouraged to visit the Service NSW website, link your toll account to your MyServiceNSW Account and claim if eligible.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

"The $60 toll cap is a critical cost-of-living support for hundreds of thousands of drivers, many of whom really have no viable alternative than to use Sydney's toll road network to get to work or get the kids where they need to be.

"When we designed the toll relief scheme we did so with those suburbs in mind where paying a toll is the price to get around and where in many cases public transport service is nowhere near the level of service enjoyed by other parts of Sydney.

"Labor does not forget these suburbs that were saddled with such high tolls by the previous coalition government. We know people are doing it tough and the toll cap is making it just that little bit fairer for drivers that heavily rely on the toll roads.

"The NSW Government is progressing with toll reform to make tolls fairer overall. I want to remind motorists to get on to the Service NSW website and claim what they are entitled to in relief."

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

"The quarterly data keeps telling us that it is the people whose journeys start and end in Western Sydney who are claiming the lion's share of toll relief, and this is where it is needed most.

"Drivers from the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, and Wollongong are also benefitting in great numbers, showing just how far and wide the benefits are flowing.

"This is a great initiative we have delivered through Service NSW to put money back into people's pockets at a time when they need it most.

"The claim process is quick and simple to follow on the Service NSW website but if you need that extra support to understand the process, team members at Service NSW Centres across the State are ready to help in person or via 13 77 88."