The terms of reference for the review,released on Thursday,reveal that Fels has also been asked to consider “how to ensure the community rather than toll road owners benefit” from existing tolling relief measures.
Both the Coalition and Labor had election policies capping how much commuters pay for using the toll roads. Weekly toll bills in NSW will becapped at $60 a week from 2024.
But experts have often pointed out that thosetolling relief packages can benefit the private operators of the roads by encouraging motorists to use them.
Roads Minister John Graham said the terms of reference had been drafted to ensure toll relief was “aimed squarely at motorists and the community,not the owners of toll roads in NSW”.
“I expect the review and subsequent overhaul of the toll network to make toll roads simpler and fairer for motorists who use them most,” he said.
“Addressing congestion and cost-of-living pressures,particularly for regular commuters without viable public transport alternatives,is another focus.
“Tolling in NSW is inconsistent,with different pricing rates,methods of calculating charges and vehicle classifications depending on the road,making it confusing for motorists.”