NSW Labor is again urging the Government to put the brakes on cost of living pressures as toll prices are increased for the third time in 2021.

From July, tolls will increase across Greater Sydney, with a 1 per cent cost increase on the NorthConnex (to $8.28), Eastern Distributor (to $8.37) and Hills M2 (to $8.28).

“Families right across Sydney are at breaking point when it comes to the never ending increases in tolls and paying tolls on roads that have long been paid off,” NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns said.

In a further hit to cost of living, government fees and fines are also likely to increase again this year, including public transport fares up by 1.5%.

The Shadow Minister for Roads John Graham warned drivers will be worse off in the latter half of 2021 because of the toll hike.

“Successive toll increases from the Government are costing NSW working families thousands of dollars annually. With wages growth flat and cost of living increases mounting, the continued hiking toll prices is simply not feasible for many.”

“While many NSW citizens face uncertainty during the most recent COVID19 outbreak, there is now the added stress of increased toll prices. This is a burden that will disproportionately impact families in West and South West Sydney at a time when they can least afford it.”

The Shadow Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said “Andrew Constance just can’t be relied on by the people of western Sydney who need reliable, affordable public transport. The Government should be making it easier for people to get out of their cars and onto public transport but instead they just keep putting their hands in the pockets of working families to prop up their Budget.”

Labor has proposed a constructive three point plan to begin the process of easing the pressure on families, tradies and small businesses caused by tolls that will go up by 4% a year:

1. Stop the privatisation of Westconnex to prevent a city wide toll road monopoly from being set up
2. No more new tolling contracts signed with increases above the rate of inflation, to stop an already bad situation for the people of Sydney from getting worse
3. No more new tolls on existing roads like the M5 east.

Tolls increasing 1 July 2021