Why driving is now more expensive in this Australian city
Sydney drivers are being slugged with further driving costs after motorways around the city increased their tolls.
Quarterly inflation introduced on October 1 saw several cents added to the majority of Sydney’s motorways thanks to CPI, leaving little escape for Sydney’s motorists.
Drivers who use the Eastern Distributor copped a $0.07 increase, with the toll price for cars now $7.46. The cost for trucks will increase to $14.92.
The M2 toll price jumped up eight cents to a maximum of $7.38 with trucks forking out $22.13.
The Lane Cove Tunnel is now $3.32 for motorists and $10.36 for trucks.
Among the hardest hit are commuters who would normally avoid tolls by using the Chatswood to Epping rail line, but the line has now been shutdown for the next seven months as work on the Metro North West rapid link continues.
But Transport Minister Andrew Constance was in defiant mood when he addressed reporters over the perceived poor timing of the hike coinciding with the closure, saying it would benefit commuters in the long run.
“I mean in seven months’ time there’ll be less cars on the road because Metro is expected to reduce by the next 20 years 30 million vehicle trips per year,” he said.
The state government reminded drivers they are entitled to free car registration if they spend over $25-a-week on tolls.
