Rivals car-pool with election toll road pledges

Motorists in Victoria have the chance to benefit from competing toll relief plans as the major political parties compete for their support. Victoria's Labor government announced a promise on Sunday to cap tolls at $30 a week for the next five years if they remain in power during the November election. The $191 million commitment could save individuals and small businesses up to $5000 per vehicle starting January 1.

Premier Ben Carroll dismissed the policy as a tactic to outdo an opposition proposal to cap tolls at $50 a week for two years. Labor's $30 cap would cover around 200,000 account holders, twice as many as the coalition's earlier pledge. The Opposition Leader, Jess Wilson, criticized the government for presenting the cap just five minutes to midnight before the election, arguing that Victorians are paying higher tolls due to the Labor government's decisions.

Under Labor's plan, cars, motorbikes, and light commercial vehicles like utes and vans would qualify for the 12-month, $30 toll cap on Victoria's three toll roads: CityLink, EastLink, and the West Gate Tunnel. A motorist who travels the full EastLink route daily could save $2500 annually, while an ute driver using the full CityLink route five days a week could claim up to $5000.

A family or business with three cars could claim up to $15,000. Both parties plan to slash administration fees and scrapping a $16 fee for drivers without an e-tag on toll roads. The toll relief measures echo a popular $60-per-week toll cap in NSW since 2024, which has been reduced to $50 until July as a cost-of-living relief measure.

The coalition announced a $180 million pledge to kick in from July 1, 2027, potentially saving drivers up to $3000 a year per vehicle.