Chris Minns says Sydney's next big public transport project could be on the F6 corridor.
The MP for Kogarah made the suggestion while announcing his bid to become state Labor leader.
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Mr Minns said, if he was elected, he would seek to convince the government not to proceed with stage one, from the New M5 at Arncliffe to President Avenue, Kogarah.
He acknowledged that, if stage one went ahead, it might be almost completed by the time of the next state election. It is due to open in 2024.
"The F6 is an extremely truncated proposal," he said.
"We have got a situation where it extends for, I think, 1.6 kilometres rather than its full length all the way to the shire, which is the purpose of it."
Mr Minns said, "It really comes down to a choice between an F6 toll road that extends into the shire and more public transport to alleviate pressure on the Illawarra line".
Mr Minns said public transport, instead of toll roads, would ease traffic congestion in Sydney and make it a more liveable city.
"If you look at the Metro [which is due to open on Sunday], it would be ridiculous for me or anyone else in the Labor Party to stand up on Monday and say this is a bad project," he said.
"What we need to ask is, "What's the next project? Where is the next infrastructure, public transport initiative for this state?"
Mr Mins said the funding the government was planning to put into the F6 and northern beaches tunnel could be used for the next big public transport project.
"I think we should look at those two things," he said.
"We have got four years to develop our proposals.
"Toll roads are not the answer to the congestion crippling Sydney. Public transport is."
