Better Transport for NSW - Rail, Tram and Bus Union of NSW

BETTER TRANSPORT FOR NSW
Conversion of Toll-Road Concessions
The former Labor State Government made an election commitment
to eliminate tolls on the M4 following the expiration of the 20-year
concession to the road operator. While the short-term political
benefits of this decision are self-evident, it also can be seen as a
major lost opportunity. The State Government could have exercised
an option to maintain the tolls, and redirect toll-revenue into new
transport infrastructure projects.
A number of other toll-road concessions are due to expire between
now and 2050. These include:
Sydney Harbour Tunnel 2022
M5 2023
Cross City Tunnel 2035
M7 2037
Lane Cove Tunnel 2037
M2 2042
Eastern Distributor 2048
There is an obvious precedent for maintaining tolls on these userpays
roads – the Sydney Harbour Bridge. While the timelines for
these projects are well beyond the normal planning cycle of State
Government, in time the conversion of these private sector toll roads
to Government-owned toll roads, or re-tendering the concessions
with private operators, could become an important contributor to
the future development of transport infrastructure in NSW.
Air-Space / Transit Oriented Developments
Rail corridors are under-utilised landholdings – often in high-value
areas - that are potentially prime development sites. ‘Air space’ over
rail corridors can therefore be seen as a highly-valued Governmentowned
portfolio, capable of being developed for commercial and
residential purposes. Utilising these corridors can also help meet
the need for urban infill housing, while building densities along
transport corridors – allowing more people to commute by public
transport rather than by car.
The RTBU is pleased to see the issue of air-space development
being tackled by the NSW Parliament through the Legislative
Assembly Inquiry into the utilisation of rail corridors.
A systematic program of identifying and developing a portfolio
of air-space sites along rail corridors would provide a steady
income stream for the State Government. The proceeds of these
developments could be hypothecated into the Restart NSW fund.
Commercial income from ‘Transit-Oriented Developments’ at major
train stations also could provide a new revenue stream, while
meeting important urban planning objectives.
Parking Levies
The NSW Government already charges a levy on non-residential
car spaces in the Sydney CDB, North Sydney, Milsons Point, Bondi
Junction, Parramatta, Chatswood and St Leonards. Revenue from
these levies are supposedly used for public transport projects,
however the management of this expenditure has previously been
criticised by the NSW Auditor General. RTBU believes revenue from
these levies should also be hypothecated into the Restart NSW fund
Road Pricing
A range of alternatives exist for using road pricing to raise vital
revenue to fund new transport infrastructure while at the same
time serving to reduce levels of demand on the road network at
peak times or in highly congested areas. Some of these alternatives
include
• Time of Day Tolling: Applying a higher toll on existing
motorways during peak times – such as the peak time charge
on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour Tunnel.
• Cordon / Congestion Charging: Applying a charge to
all vehicles (apart from residents) travelling into the CBD –
currently applies in cities such as London.
• Premium Lanes: Applying a charge to motorists using
designated lanes on major roads – effectively providing a
premium service and attracting a user-pays fee.
18
RAIL, TRAM AND BUS UNION - BETTER TRANSPORT FOR NSW