Drivers in the world's most tolled city should not expect revolutionary changes to the intertwined network, as an inquiry begins looking into possible reforms to make road fees fairer.
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The independent review, chaired by former competition watchdog boss Allan Fels and former Prices Surveillance Authority chair David Cousins, will investigate ways to make toll roads more equitable and how government relief measures can be better implemented.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday before the inquiry's first hearing, Professor Fels indicated several options will be on the table but conceded any reforms would be constrained by long-term toll contracts.
"There is some scope," he said when asked whether any recommendations from the review will lead to motorists paying less for tolls.
"I'm not suggesting that there's going to be a revolution in toll prices and that we're going to travel free on roads."
On the agenda will be ways to simplify toll charges, including distance-based and time-of-day charges, and looking at government relief measures.
"There is scope to negotiate some win-win outcomes," said Prof Fels, who confirmed the review would not make recommendations to override long-term toll contracts.
Transurban controls 11 of Sydney's toll motorways.
Its company executive Michele Huey told the independent review the operator was open to exploring a single cost to enter toll roads and then a charge based on how far they travel and opportunities to extend time-based charges.
The review chairs heard from a Sydney council and the national association representing truckers, both blaming high and inflexible toll costs forcing larger trucks onto residential roads.
Bryce Spelta from Bayside Council in Sydney's south said the negative impacts such as noise, congestion and reduced safety "rippled through communities" when heavy trucks avoided the tollway.
National Road Transport Association chief executive Warren Clark said the high cost of tolls for measly time saving was deterring drivers from using the roads.
Prof Fels had earlier indicated increased toll signs would be a top priority for investigation despite the previous Perrottet government's opposition.
Transurban operations manager Chris Jackson told the inquiry for signs to be effective, they would need to be easily understood and placed early along feeder routes so drivers had enough time to decide which route to take.
Means testing of drivers could be on the cards for government toll subsidies, Prof Fels told journalists, with some very well off people potentially losing out.
NSW Premier Chris Minns on Tuesday said he was not prepared to wave the white flag when it came to toll relief, pointing to his government's $60 weekly toll cap which comes into effect next year and reducing toll costs for trucks.
The review was initiated after a Treasury report recommended scrapping set fees on toll roads and applying a single network-wide charge and means testing.
Australian Associated Press
