Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery has called on NSW Roads Minister Andrew Constance to overturn changes by Transurban that resulted in tolls tripling for cars towing a caravan, boat or trailer.
The Labor MP moved a notice of motion in state parliament yesterday and has a petition signed by 10,000 people opposed to the increased fees.
Transurban, which operates the M2, M7 and soon-to-be-opened NorthConnex, introduced a classification structure which moved cars towing a caravan, boat or trailer into the same category as a semi-trailer or B-Double last August, but had a grace period on the increased tolls until April.
Ms Hornery wants motorists travelling around Sydney charged at the old rate, saying it was "impossible to believe" they were now considered the equivalent "of a fully laden semi-trailer".
"Last month the Roads Minister criticised Transurban for going ahead with increases of its tolls, describing it as a 'terrible' look and telling them that "they need to just factor in the incredible pain and suffering and pressure that everybody is under at this period in time and reconsider their decision'," she said.
"Given the crises that the NSW economy has suffered in the last six months, bushfires, drought and COVID-19, the simple stroke of the minister's pen could resolve this issue and get thousands of holiday makers back on the roads heading south to visit local rural and regional communities who are doing it tough.
"The minister needs to end this farce, introduce new regulations for the classification of vehicles and get our holiday makers back on the road to support local economies."
The matter will be discussed in a future sitting of parliament.
