Motorists who spend more than $25 a week on tolls will get free car registration under a new state government initiative.
Savings will range from $127 for motorcyclists and $272 for small cars up to $715 for large four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said drivers would be eligible for free vehicle registration if they spent more than $25 a week, on average, over a 12 month period on tolls.
“The majority of eligible motorists will save $358 a year on registration costs, with potential savings of up to $715 a year,” she said.
“The government’s strong budget position allows us to give back to toll users.”
Mr Berejilian said the rebate would be available for all standard privately registered cars, utes, 4WDs and motorcycles from July 1, 2018.
Minister for Western Sydney and WestConnex Stuart Ayres said the scheme would be backdated, so eligible motorists will enjoy free vehicle registration if they spent more than $25 a week from July 1, 2017.
The scheme will apply to private drivers who use any existing toll roads, as well as to future new toll roads.
Drivers who use the M5 will continue to have access to the Cashback scheme.
Private motor vehicles weighing more than 2795kg, such as trucks, are excluded from the scheme.
Greens MP and Transport spokesperson, Mehreen Faruqi said the government was “propping up” the profits of the toll road companies.
Dr Faruqi said motorists were being lured by free registration, “but only after you’ve spent thousands of dollars in tolls”.
“This is effectively hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money in foregone revenue,” she said.
“If this government is serious about addressing the cost of living, they should be capping tolls and making sure people have real and affordable alternatives instead of finding a sneaky way to help fill the deep pockets of private companies.
“Under this government, Sydney is rapidly becoming the toll road capital of the world.”
REBATE EXAMPLES
- Cars up to 975kg: $272 – Hyundai Eon, Citroen C1, Renault Twingo.
- Cars 1155-1504kg: $358 – Mazda 3, Hyundai i30, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, VW Golf.
- Cars 1505-2504kg: $513 – Toyota Camry, Toyota Hilux, Hyundai Tucson, Holden Commodore, Mazda CX3, Ford Ranger.
- Cars 2505-2794kg: $715 – Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol.
- Motorcycles: $127 – All registered motorcycles.