Latest news with #tollrelief
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Aussies sitting on $130m bonanza
NSW motorists are sitting on a $130m bonanza and have just over two weeks to claim it back in toll relief. The NSW government last year introduced a $60-a-week cap on tolls and under the scheme motorists can claim back up to $340 every week per vehicle. Since the cost-of-living measure was introduced by the Minns government, $139m has been claimed back by motorists, mostly in Sydney's western suburbs. And the government said that a further $130m was sitting in its coffers unclaimed. Sunday June 30 marks the final day that motorists can claim back excess tolls which were accrued in 2024. According to government numbers, Blacktown, Baulkham Hills and Auburn are the suburbs hit hardest by tolls, with $2m in relief claimed in all three suburbs since the introduction of the scheme. Over $1m in toll relief has been claimed in a further 10 suburbs - Merrylands, Marsden Park, Castle Hill, Quakers Hill, Lakemba, Kellyville, Bankstown, Greystanes, West Pennant Hills and Punchbowl. 'The $60 toll cap is a critical cost-of-living support and I am pleased to see it has been laser-like in getting to where it is needed most, suburbs like Blacktown, Baulkham Hills, Marsden Park and Bankstown,' Transport minister John Graham said. 'These are the parts of western Sydney where paying a toll is not a choice and in many cases relying on public transport is not a viable choice either.' Toll relief can be claimed via the Services NSW website. Those needing extra assistance can visit a Service NSW centre or call 13 77 88.
News.com.au
a day ago
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Aussies sitting on unclaimed $130m bonanza
NSW motorists are sitting on a $130m bonanza and have just over two weeks to claim it back in toll relief. The NSW government last year introduced a $60-a-week cap on tolls and under the scheme motorists can claim back up to $340 every week per vehicle. Since the cost-of-living measure was introduced by the Minns government, $139m has been claimed back by motorists, mostly in Sydney's western suburbs. And the government said that a further $130m was sitting in its coffers unclaimed. Sunday June 30 marks the final day that motorists can claim back excess tolls which were accrued in 2024. According to government numbers, Blacktown, Baulkham Hills and Auburn are the suburbs hit hardest by tolls, with $2m in relief claimed in all three suburbs since the introduction of the scheme. Over $1m in toll relief has been claimed in a further 10 suburbs - Merrylands, Marsden Park, Castle Hill, Quakers Hill, Lakemba, Kellyville, Bankstown, Greystanes, West Pennant Hills and Punchbowl. 'The $60 toll cap is a critical cost-of-living support and I am pleased to see it has been laser-like in getting to where it is needed most, suburbs like Blacktown, Baulkham Hills, Marsden Park and Bankstown,' Transport minister John Graham said.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
More Hampton Roads drivers use toll discounts, but millions of dollars are still available
Enrollment is growing in a program that offers millions of dollars of toll relief to Hampton Roads drivers who traverse the Downtown and Midtown tunnels. But the amount of money being used is just a fraction of what state lawmakers secured in the commonwealth's fiscal budget. Virginia's 2024-26 biennium budget includes $101 million in toll relief at the Downtown and Midtown tunnels connecting Norfolk and Portsmouth, with a $77 million earmark in the first fiscal year and $24 million in the second. The program's current enrollment is 19,086 people, according to data provided by the Virginia Department of Transportation. That represents a nearly 9% increase in enrollment compared with this time last year, with the vast majority of relief going to residents of South Hampton Roads. For drivers earning less than $50,000 per year, expanded toll relief provides 100% off 14 trips through the tunnels for two-axle passenger vehicles. But it applies only to the most fiscally stressed cities in the region, including Hampton, Norfolk, Newport News, Portsmouth and Franklin. That's in addition to the existing toll relief program offered to all Hampton Roads residents, where drivers earning up to $65,000 annually with an E-ZPass transponder can get 50% off 14 weekly trips through the tunnels. Since 2017, $10.6 million of toll relief has been distributed to drivers in Hampton Roads, according to VDOT. Since July 1, 2024 — the start of the current fiscal year — $4.12 million has been given to eligible drivers as of April. That's up from the $3 million granted between July 2023 and June 2024. How some Hampton Roads residents could pay no toll to drive through tunnels Toll-free HOV lane in Downtown and Midtown tunnels not recommended, study says 10 years of tunnel tolls: How they have helped — and hurt — Hampton Roads More than a third (36%) of the relief to date went to Portsmouth residents, which amounts to roughly 6,870 people. Almost a quarter (23%) went to Norfolk residents. Data has shown tolls are particularly burdensome to Portsmouth and Norfolk residents, and enrollment for drivers in both cities increased this year. Relief has been expanded over the years to include cities like Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, and more drivers there are taking advantage this year, according to VDOT data. The city of Portsmouth has beefed up its promotion of toll relief since January, a city spokesperson said, through social media posts and the city's official website. During a City Council work session last year, Virginia House Speaker Don Scott and Sen. Louise Lucas urged the city to do more to get the word out so they can continue securing relief in the state budget. 'They don't have to do anything, but just get the transponder registered,' Scott previously told The Virginian-Pilot. 'So if they do that, then we'll be able to see a higher usage and higher percentage, and then justify even more resources to help.' City spokesperson Peter Glagola said Elizabeth River Crossing, which operates the tolls, recently presented to the Mayor's Military Affairs Committee, with a key message that residents should apply individually and not as families to stay within the maximum annual income limit for relief. ____ There's no deadline to register for toll relief, but it must be done in person at E-ZPass Customer Service Centers in Norfolk or Portsmouth or at the DriveERT Customer Care Center in Portsmouth. When applying in person, bring proof of residence and income. Residence can be proved from a driver's license, checking or savings account statement, utility bill, mortgage, rental lease, military documentation confirming city of residence or property tax bill. Proof of income can include Social Security statements, tax forms, one month of pay stubs, notarized employer's statement or self-declaration of no income. Once approved for the program, E-ZPass transponders will link to the unique toll relief confirmation code given. Residents with a balance on their E-ZPass account can still enroll in the toll relief, but discounts cannot be applied until negative balances are resolved. There's still time to take advantage as the state's funding is available through 2036, a VDOT spokesperson said. ERC also contributes annually to the toll relief program, including $3.6 million this year. Unused toll credits, both from ERC and the state, can roll over to subsequent years, according to VDOT. Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, ____ Norfolk E-ZPass Customer Service Center 1701 Church St. Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Portsmouth E-ZPass Customer Service Center 4010 Victory Blvd. Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. DriveERT Customer Care Center 309 County St., Portsmouth Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
