National

Widespread toll road changes both give and take away

By Tom Wark

Aug 3, 2026

car — Future discounts on major toll roads and a cut in the rate of price increases have been announced. -AAP Image

Toll operators will fork out millions to contribute to cap prices for motorists under a deal providing discounts across a sprawling road network.

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Future discounts on major Sydney toll roads, as well as a reduction in the rate of price increases, were announced by NSW's government on Monday.

But Sydneysiders will no longer be able to escape the city without tolls on one major arterial road under the scheme.

Private toll-road owners have agreed to contribute $75 million over five years to help fund the $50 weekly toll cap for drivers, NSW Premier Chris Minns said.

"There's induced demand as governments are applying billions of dollars to toll relief, driving up the number of motorists on our network," Mr Minns said.

Toll reductions of 10 per cent will be seen in the Lane Cove Tunnel from July 1, 2027, and for 80 per cent of journeys on the M2 motorway from the same date, Mr Minns said.

Drivers using the Cross City Tunnel will see a 20 per cent drop in toll charges once the Western Harbour Tunnel opens in 2028.

The rate of toll increases on harbour crossings will decrease from 4 per cent to 3.25 per cent from July 1.

Motorcyclists are winners in the new regime, with tolls halved for riders on all motorways progressively from July 1.

However, there will continue to be the usual quarterly price rises on all toll roads between now and when the discounts take effect, Mr Minns confirmed.

"There will be increases between now and then, but on that day, it drops by 10 per cent and it will be lower than it currently is today," he told reporters.

After the introduction of two-way tolling on the existing harbour crossings was flagged earlier in the year, Roads Minister John Graham confirmed the Eastern Distributor would be tolled in both directions.

Another sticking point for thousands of drivers is the absence of any discounts on the WestConnex.

"That toll agreement was simply too long, too big, too complex to get a good deal for taxpayers and for toll payers," Mr Graham said.

Opposition road spokeswoman Natalie Ward said the agreement did not go far enough to provide real relief for drivers.

"This is hardly the radical reform promised by Chris Minns and Labor, with 60 per cent of drivers still waiting for any benefit," Ms Ward said.