新南威尔士州政府与私营运营商Transurban达成协议，宣布对部分收费道路进行有限度的减价，但悉尼大多数收费路段将继续以每年至少4%的幅度上涨[1]。根据协议，州政府将支付8.5亿澳元用于扩建M2-M7收费路段，另外支付1.43亿澳元进行结算[1]。在减价方案中，车道隧道和M2的费用将在2027年7月削减10%，M7在2028年削减10%，跨城市隧道在2028年削减20%[1]。
然而，WestConnex等主要收费道路未被纳入减价方案[1]。WestConnex每天有359,000次通行，日均通行费用为12.74澳元[1]。前竞争监管机构负责人Allan Fels批评Transurban的立场过度，指其"整个补偿方法排除了包括WestConnex在内的一些公共利益改革"[1]。与此同时，NSW纳税人已每年支付超过1亿澳元来覆盖2024年1月引入的收费上限政策，到2026-27年这一成本将增至2.11亿澳元[1]。Transurban目前运营悉尼11条收费道路，其合同期限延伸至2040年代或更晚[1]。
New South Wales has reached an agreement with Transurban that will deliver temporary toll cuts on some Sydney motorways while allowing most road charges to keep climbing at a minimum of 4 percent annually [1]. Under the deal, the state government will provide A$850 million to fund expansion of the M2-M7 corridor and an additional A$143 million in settlement payments [1].
The toll reductions will be limited in scope: the Lane Cove Tunnel and M2 will see 10 percent cuts from July 2027, the M7 will drop 10 percent from 2028, and the Cross City Tunnel will fall 20 percent in 2028 [1]. However, WestConnex—which processes 359,000 journeys daily with an average toll of A$12.74—remains excluded from any price relief [1]. The arrangement extends Transurban's operating contracts through the 2040s or beyond, cementing the private operator's control over 11 toll roads across the city [1].
The agreement has drawn criticism from former competition regulator Allan Fels, who accused Transurban of obstructing broader reforms and prioritizing profit over public interest [1]. Fels stated: "Transurban's demands have been excessive and completely out of scope... their entire compensation approach has excluded public interest reforms including WestConnex" [1]. Meanwhile, NSW taxpayers are already shouldering escalating costs to sustain a toll cap introduced in January 2024, with annual outlays projected to reach A$211 million by 2026-27, up from over A$100 million in 2024 [1]. Toll debts have now surpassed A$1 billion, while Transurban's market value stands at A$47 billion [1].