Sydney motorists drive revenue surge for toll road king Transurban

Date
    February 11, 2016
    Sydney Morning Herald



Sydney motorists have become a cash cow for Australia's toll road king, Transurban, which has boosted toll revenue from city motorways such as the M2 and M5 by 15 per cent to almost $400 million.   :(

The growth in Sydney in the first half of the financial year has outpaced increases in toll revenue for Transurban in Melbourne and Brisbane, where the company also operates the lion's share of toll motorways.   




It led Transurban chief executive Scott Charlton to declare Sydney as "one of the largest toll road markets in the world".   :(

With the state and federal governments searching for ways to fix heavily congested roads, Transurban is eager to further cement its grip on Sydney's network of toll roads, highlighting the "potential for significant network expansion over [the] medium term".

Mr Charlton said Sydney had a long pipeline of potential projects such as a western crossing of Sydney Harbour, the WestConnex motorway and roads to the second airport planned for Badgerys Creek in western Sydney.

"There is quite a long program; most of them will be some sort of tolling regime," he said. "There are lots of opportunities for Transurban to continue to participate."

However, he said Transurban was "really in the hands" of the Baird government regarding the level of involvement it wanted from the private sector in the motorway projects.

The government has been considering a Transurban proposal to overhaul the tolling regime for the Cross City Tunnel under Sydney's CBD.

"We are looking at how we can use the Cross City Tunnel to make the traffic flow better across the city, particularly with the light rail," Mr Charlton said. "We are still in discussions; they are very preliminary."

However, fears of major CBD congestion from the construction of the $2.1 billion light rail line to the eastern suburbs has, so far, failed to materialise.

It is likely to reduce the government's willingness to compensate Transurban for a reduction in the tunnel's toll which, at $5.27 for a one-way car journey, has long been regarded as too expensive.

Daily traffic rose 9 per cent in the six months to December across Transurban's toll road network in Sydney. That includes the Lane Cove Tunnel and the Westlink M7.

Mr Charlton said motorists were using the extra capacity on the M2 and M5 toll roads, which had flow-on effects for the revenue Transurban generated from the M7.

"We are seeing strong economic activity, particularly in Sydney, on the back of infrastructure spending and housing," he said.

The construction of a nine-kilometre tunnel connecting the Pacific Highway to the M2 Hills Motorway began last year. It is due for completion in late 2019.

Transurban is spending $1.3 billion on the project, while the NSW and federal governments have committed to both investing $404 million.

wouldnt the users save on petrol eventually?>..

and as we know TIME costs as fortune..

dont forget its not compulsory to use the Toll Ways. ::) ::)

cods wrote on Feb 13^th, 2016 at 6:56am:

wouldnt the users save on petrol eventually?>.. and as we know TIME costs as fortune.. dont forget its not compulsory to use the Toll Ways. ::) ::)

Shhh, don't tell Dame Crook! It screws up her flimsy argument!!! ;D ;D ;D

Don't forget petrol for car.  Cost of drivers licence.  Insurance.  Driving fines.  Vehicle matinance.  Oh yes and of course wonderful toll roads.   :(   

wrote on Feb 13^th, 2016 at 7:12am:

Don't forget petrol for car.  Cost of drivers licence.  Insurance.  Driving fines.  Vehicle matinance.  Oh yes and of course wonderful toll roads.   :(

Easy fix...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx40udwQvZI

Transurban Holdings Ltd:

Income 2013-14: $1,378,836,618
Taxable income: $68,940,661
Tax paid: nil.

Stop putting tolls on roads everywhere.   :( 

wrote on Feb 13^th, 2016 at 7:18am:

Stop putting tolls on roads everywhere.   :(

And nationalise all toll roads.

Well said Bam, yes what a good idea.   :)

wrote on Feb 13^th, 2016 at 6:44am:

Sydney motorists drive revenue surge for toll road king Transurban Date     February 11, 2016     Sydney Morning Herald Sydney motorists have become a cash cow for Australia's toll road king, Transurban, which has boosted toll revenue from city motorways such as the M2 and M5 by 15 per cent to almost $400 million.   :( The growth in Sydney in the first half of the financial year has outpaced increases in toll revenue for Transurban in Melbourne and Brisbane, where the company also operates the lion's share of toll motorways.    It led Transurban chief executive Scott Charlton to declare Sydney as "one of the largest toll road markets in the world".   :( With the state and federal governments searching for ways to fix heavily congested roads, Transurban is eager to further cement its grip on Sydney's network of toll roads, highlighting the "potential for significant network expansion over [the] medium term". Mr Charlton said Sydney had a long pipeline of potential projects such as a western crossing of Sydney Harbour, the WestConnex motorway and roads to the second airport planned for Badgerys Creek in western Sydney. "There is quite a long program; most of them will be some sort of tolling regime," he said. "There are lots of opportunities for Transurban to continue to participate." However, he said Transurban was "really in the hands" of the Baird government regarding the level of involvement it wanted from the private sector in the motorway projects. The government has been considering a Transurban proposal to overhaul the tolling regime for the Cross City Tunnel under Sydney's CBD. "We are looking at how we can use the Cross City Tunnel to make the traffic flow better across the city, particularly with the light rail," Mr Charlton said. "We are still in discussions; they are very preliminary." However, fears of major CBD congestion from the construction of the $2.1 billion light rail line to the eastern suburbs has, so far, failed to materialise. It is likely to reduce the government's willingness to compensate Transurban for a reduction in the tunnel's toll which, at $5.27 for a one-way car journey, has long been regarded as too expensive. Daily traffic rose 9 per cent in the six months to December across Transurban's toll road network in Sydney. That includes the Lane Cove Tunnel and the Westlink M7. Mr Charlton said motorists were using the extra capacity on the M2 and M5 toll roads, which had flow-on effects for the revenue Transurban generated from the M7. "We are seeing strong economic activity, particularly in Sydney, on the back of infrastructure spending and housing," he said. The construction of a nine-kilometre tunnel connecting the Pacific Highway to the M2 Hills Motorway began last year. It is due for completion in late 2019. Transurban is spending $1.3 billion on the project, while the NSW and federal governments have committed to both investing $404 million.

The NSW and federal governments have committed to both investing $404 million.

What gets me is why does the government give money to private companies to built things then the public has to pay to used those things. We already ready pay for it with our taxes.

It is now nearly $50 in tolls for a return journey from my place to the airport.  We can also thank jeff Kennett for allowing city link the ability to increase charges as well.    In reply to the zoob  that states use other roads, most councils have funnelled traffic so that to use those streets will add hours to your journey.   As if motorists didn't think of that alternative?

Privatised cash cow for then sitting Liberal members, including the then Premier, and their mates.  Said Premier was on TV the other night saying he'd been investigated by ICAC and gotten away scot free - can't see how myself, other than it was a 'legal' business deal under the existing rules for a sitting Premier to privatise an existing public Freeway and buy 6.25% of it, with his wife buying the same, giving them 12.5%, with an estimated profit (then) of around a million a year each.  All legit....... just a business opportunity that happened to fall into their laps..... though some call it Highway Robbery......

Now here's a chance for a politician of guts to retrospectively cop a few thieves by making such ventures illegal..... not that they will.... probably catch themselves as well...... how many of them and their mates would share with Bubba and The Boyz On Cell Block B if these deals were made illegal?

We don't have any toll roads in WA  :), well not that i am aware of anyway

cods wrote on Feb 13^th, 2016 at 6:56am:

wouldnt the users save on petrol eventually?>.. and as we know TIME costs as fortune.. dont forget its not compulsory to use the Toll Ways. ::) ::)

Not while ever the percentage cost of the run goes up and up..... you're supposed to save using freeways - not pay more.... and BigVic has already addressed the issue of side roads.....  You wanna try that in Sydney sometime?  Good luck... you might get out alive within a week....

Point is the government could have built even tollways and run them at a lower cost without all those hungry-gutted and narrer-gutted big shareholders to feed every year.... all this business about 'private enterprise is more efficient' has been shown to be a total lie with the electricity business... double the cost for the same service.....

To say otherwise is to be naive.  where can private enterprise raise money that government cannot, and without paying shareholders, board members, and ceos in profusion instead of a single streamlined organisation?

Its time wrote on Feb 13^th, 2016 at 12:07pm:

We don't have any toll roads in WA  :), well not that i am aware of anyway

One thing WA has got right.

The only people who really like toll roads are those who buy shares in toll roads while living nowhere near them.

Bam wrote on Feb 13^th, 2016 at 1:33pm:

Its time wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 12:07pm: We don't have any toll roads in WA  :), well not that i am aware of anyway One thing WA has got right. The only people who really like toll roads are those who buy shares in toll roads while living nowhere near them.

No idea why they never adopted it here , can't even recollect if it has even been proposed. What does it cost to drive say 50km one way passing through all the tolls on the way?

Bam wrote on Feb 13^th, 2016 at 7:24am:

wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 7:18am: Stop putting tolls on roads everywhere.   :(  And nationalise all toll roads.

I suppose you would recognise just compensation for the people who built them . . .or would you just do the communist thing.

bogarde73 wrote on Feb 13^th, 2016 at 1:43pm:

Bam wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 7:24am: wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 7:18am: Stop putting tolls on roads everywhere.   :(  And nationalise all toll roads. I suppose you would recognise just compensation for the people who built them . . .or would you just do the communist thing.

After the years of profits?  I think it could be calculated to a nicety.....

You've hit upon the very problem once foolish governments 'privatise' any public utility into a venture - the difficulty of clawing it back.  Same thing occurred, as I predicted, with  affirmative action - once it had done its deeds - you then had to claw it back, and by then it was so firmly entrenched that it was like cancer and impossible to do so.

Governments do these things with eyes wide open, knowing full well the monsters they are creating - they do so for personal benefit and benefit of their own chosen ones...... and NOT for the community at large.

Vic wrote on Feb 13^th, 2016 at 9:07am:

It is now nearly $50 in tolls for a return journey from my place to the airport.  We can also thank jeff Kennett for allowing city link the ability to increase charges as well.    In reply to the zoob  that states use other roads, most councils have funnelled traffic so that to use those streets will add hours to your journey.   As if motorists didn't think of that alternative?

There y'are... $50 a day for an airport worker.... now farken wonder why yer costs go up and up.. five day week $250 - six day week $300....  WTS do you think pays for that?  Well - everyone - since those workers need to recoup that in pay scales, thus raising the price of everything and placing perpetual pressure on wage rises, and with each such rise inducing the toll roaders to raise their prices as well...

A self-defeating exercise that nobody wins but those on the inside who continue to garner nice salaries, perks and profits .... it's called Highway Robbery in other places... I'll bet their toll beeper says "Free Ride!!!"

Some people rob you with a six-gun.. others with a fountain pen.......

Does it ease traffic congestion?  I live about 2.5 hrs south of Perth so traffic not really an issue but Perth's traffic was awful on the freeways in peak times when I did live North of river , I would probably have entertained the prospect of paying a toll if it eased congestion and the money was pumped back in to the roads to achieve this .

Vic wrote on Feb 13^th, 2016 at 9:07am:

It is now nearly $50 in tolls for a return journey from my place to the airport.  We can also thank jeff Kennett for allowing city link the ability to increase charges as well.    In reply to the zoob  that states use other roads, most councils have funnelled traffic so that to use those streets will add hours to your journey.   As if motorists didn't think of that alternative?

WTF that much?

Its time wrote on Feb 13^th, 2016 at 2:01pm:

Does it ease traffic congestion?  I live about 2.5 hrs south of Perth so traffic not really an issue but Perth's traffic was awful on the freeways in peak times when I did live North of river , I would probably have entertained the prospect of paying a toll if it eased congestion and the money was pumped back in to the roads to achieve this .

The difference between a freeway and a tollway is?  You guessed it - you pay more for a tollway and might just as easily stop to pay toll.  Eases congestion?  Don't make me laugh.... and the money is pumped back only partly into fixing the roads - the toll roads that is... the ones the Highway Mafia use to take your money - all the others can go to rack and ruin.

Now imagine what the government could do with revenue raised from a toll that did not require handing out massive salaries to useless mouth board members and such and to shareholders.....

Is  Bam in favour of just compensation or not? Simple question.

Its time wrote on Feb 13^th, 2016 at 1:40pm:

Bam wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 1:33pm: Its time wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 12:07pm: We don't have any toll roads in WA  :), well not that i am aware of anyway One thing WA has got right. The only people who really like toll roads are those who buy shares in toll roads while living nowhere near them. No idea why they never adopted it here , can't even recollect if it has even been proposed. What does it cost to drive say 50km one way passing through all the tolls on the way?

Depends on the road. Some roads have a cap on the tolls on a single journey. The amount paid depends on the kind of vehicle.

Citylink (Melbourne) toll caps (per trip):
Motorcycle = $4.28
Car = $8.57
Heavy Truck = $11.42 (day), $8.57 (night)

So if you had to travel the length of the toll road to get to and from work, you would be paying $85.70 per week.

bogarde73 wrote on Feb 13^th, 2016 at 1:43pm:

Bam wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 7:24am: wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 7:18am: Stop putting tolls on roads everywhere.   :(  And nationalise all toll roads. I suppose you would recognise just compensation for the people who built them . . .or would you just do the communist thing.

Of course there should be just compensation based on the value of the road.

What I don't think is just is the idea that Citylink has already been paid for with the tolls five times over, with tolls still on the road, potentially for another 30 years, including tolls on those sections of the road paid for with public money. We don't need that kind of rent seeking.

Why do we need toll roads that are profit machines when they could be built by the government far more cheaply?

Citylink is also the reason why Melbourne still has no railway link to the airport. It's forbidden in the Citylink contract.

bogarde73 wrote on Feb 13^th, 2016 at 2:38pm:

Is  Bam in favour of just compensation or not? Simple question.

As long as there's also some form of just compensation for workers who have to use the road to get to and from work. These tolls should be tax deductible, or paid for by the employer, or both.

If you don't want to use a toll road, just leave home a bit earlier and use an ordinary road.

Wolseley wrote on Feb 13^th, 2016 at 9:31pm:

If you don't want to use a toll road, just leave home a bit earlier and use an ordinary road.

Give me the choice between a tollway and a freeway then.....  duuuuh.. that's a hard one.... ummm.. lemme think a minute... errrr.....

Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Feb 14^th, 2016 at 12:58am:

Wolseley wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 9:31pm: If you don't want to use a toll road, just leave home a bit earlier and use an ordinary road. Give me the choice between a tollway and a freeway then.....  duuuuh.. that's a hard one.... ummm.. lemme think a minute... errrr.....

For every tollway there is an alternative route without tolls.

Wolseley wrote on Feb 14^th, 2016 at 10:28am:

Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 12:58am: Wolseley wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 9:31pm: If you don't want to use a toll road, just leave home a bit earlier and use an ordinary road. Give me the choice between a tollway and a freeway then.....  duuuuh.. that's a hard one.... ummm.. lemme think a minute... errrr..... For every tollway there is an alternative route without tolls.

Often modified by having lanes removed to funnel traffic onto the toll road.

Wolseley wrote on Feb 14^th, 2016 at 10:28am:

Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 12:58am: Wolseley wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 9:31pm: If you don't want to use a toll road, just leave home a bit earlier and use an ordinary road. Give me the choice between a tollway and a freeway then.....  duuuuh.. that's a hard one.... ummm.. lemme think a minute... errrr..... For every tollway there is an alternative route without tolls.

yeah right ... how often do they make those almost impossible to access. On one particular road up here, no exits for about 20 km, then once you are passed the poll station, an exit every couple of hundred meters or so.

Bam wrote on Feb 14^th, 2016 at 10:33am:

Wolseley wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 10:28am: Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 12:58am: Wolseley wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 9:31pm: If you don't want to use a toll road, just leave home a bit earlier and use an ordinary road. Give me the choice between a tollway and a freeway then.....  duuuuh.. that's a hard one.... ummm.. lemme think a minute... errrr..... For every tollway there is an alternative route without tolls. Often modified by having lanes removed to funnel traffic onto the toll road.

Because some of the traffic will be using the toll road.  The cars on the toll road have to join it somewhere.

Wolseley wrote on Feb 14^th, 2016 at 10:36am:

Bam wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 10:33am: Wolseley wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 10:28am: Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 12:58am: Wolseley wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 9:31pm: If you don't want to use a toll road, just leave home a bit earlier and use an ordinary road. Give me the choice between a tollway and a freeway then.....  duuuuh.. that's a hard one.... ummm.. lemme think a minute... errrr..... For every tollway there is an alternative route without tolls. Often modified by having lanes removed to funnel traffic onto the toll road. Because some of the traffic will be using the toll road.  The cars on the toll road have to join it somewhere.

But why spend money to modify the road unnecessarily when it is cheaper not to modify the road? One reason only - to increase toll revenue.

Bam wrote on Feb 14^th, 2016 at 10:42am:

Wolseley wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 10:36am: Bam wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 10:33am: Wolseley wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 10:28am: Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 12:58am: Wolseley wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 9:31pm: If you don't want to use a toll road, just leave home a bit earlier and use an ordinary road. Give me the choice between a tollway and a freeway then.....  duuuuh.. that's a hard one.... ummm.. lemme think a minute... errrr..... For every tollway there is an alternative route without tolls. Often modified by having lanes removed to funnel traffic onto the toll road. Because some of the traffic will be using the toll road.  The cars on the toll road have to join it somewhere. But why spend money to modify the road unnecessarily when it is cheaper not to modify the road? One reason only - to increase toll revenue.

Increase revenue by making it easier to allow access to the toll road though, not by forcing people to use it.  There wouldn't be any sense in building a toll road if you don't also put in a lane or two for drivers to get onto it.

Wolseley wrote on Feb 14^th, 2016 at 10:48am:

Bam wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 10:42am: Wolseley wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 10:36am: Bam wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 10:33am: Wolseley wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 10:28am: Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 12:58am: Wolseley wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 9:31pm: If you don't want to use a toll road, just leave home a bit earlier and use an ordinary road. Give me the choice between a tollway and a freeway then.....  duuuuh.. that's a hard one.... ummm.. lemme think a minute... errrr..... For every tollway there is an alternative route without tolls. Often modified by having lanes removed to funnel traffic onto the toll road. Because some of the traffic will be using the toll road.  The cars on the toll road have to join it somewhere. But why spend money to modify the road unnecessarily when it is cheaper not to modify the road? One reason only - to increase toll revenue. Increase revenue by making it easier to allow access to the toll road though, not by forcing people to use it.  There wouldn't be any sense in building a toll road if you don't also put in a lane or two for drivers to get onto it.

easy to put access .... add a right lane onto the tollroad and leave all existing lanes as they are. Instead, they change all the existing lanes to force you to go right and onto the tollway, and add a left lane so as to avoid the toll ... usually the left lane has a short run up so it's easy to miss, with poor signage or in an area where traffic banks up so that if you get caught in the right lane and want to go left, you can't.

Wolseley wrote on Feb 14^th, 2016 at 10:48am:

Bam wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 10:42am: Wolseley wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 10:36am: Bam wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 10:33am: Wolseley wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 10:28am: Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Feb 14th, 2016 at 12:58am: Wolseley wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 9:31pm: If you don't want to use a toll road, just leave home a bit earlier and use an ordinary road. Give me the choice between a tollway and a freeway then.....  duuuuh.. that's a hard one.... ummm.. lemme think a minute... errrr..... For every tollway there is an alternative route without tolls. Often modified by having lanes removed to funnel traffic onto the toll road. Because some of the traffic will be using the toll road.  The cars on the toll road have to join it somewhere. But why spend money to modify the road unnecessarily when it is cheaper not to modify the road? One reason only - to increase toll revenue. Increase revenue by making it easier to allow access to the toll road though, not by forcing people to use it.  There wouldn't be any sense in building a toll road if you don't also put in a lane or two for drivers to get onto it.

They're not always adding a lane or two to access the toll road, which is reasonable. Sometimes, they're taking away lanes from alternative routes to make these routes less viable. This happened with Citylink in Melbourne.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong then, as I've never had any problems avoiding toll roads when I don't want to use them.

Ever notice how, once tollways were introduced in Sydney - many local councils staked out their territory by putting Stop signs and One Ways in - meaning that negotiating through those areas became a nightmare or even No go zones for traffic ..... even back in the 1990's it was often faster to run down Parramatta Road then the M.4 at peak hour.... every fool thought the Motorway was faster...... but I'd say increasing traffic has put paid to that.... I quake in horror at the news footage of peak hour in Syd-e-ney....

Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Feb 14^th, 2016 at 11:35am:

Ever notice how, once tollways were introduced in Sydney - many local councils staked out their territory by putting Stop signs and One Ways in - meaning that negotiating through those areas became a nightmare or even No go zones for traffic .....

That was being done before the widespread introduction of toll roads though, mainly to prevent residential back streets being used as "rat runs".


Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Feb 14^th, 2016 at 11:35am:

back in the 1990's it was often faster to run down Parramatta Road then the M.4 at peak hour.... every fool thought the Motorway was faster...... but I'd say increasing traffic has put paid to that.... I quake in horror at the news footage of peak hour in Syd-e-ney....

And going through Rawson Rd Granville, Wellington Rd and Vaughan St Auburn, through Lidcombe and past Rookwood was even quicker.  The problem with the M4 in peak hour is not so much travelling along it, but getting off it.  These days, if I am planning to travel on the M4 I stay in the middle lane on James Ruse Drive and look to see if the M4 looks like a car park or not.  If it doesn't, I join the M4, if it does, I keep on going to Parramatta Road.

I always took exception to that term 'rat runs' - roads are for cars - love it or leave it, or live off a main road... don't buy there and then whine like the fools at St Peters did over aircraft noise.

Car owners pay for roads - councils receive funds from that = entitlement to use roads by car owners.

Oh - and BTW - new residence is bound by low flying aircraft noise from Williamtown - F-18s with unbaffled exhausts... hoo-yah... love it or leave it...

Labor voter wrote on Feb 13^th, 2016 at 7:27am:

What gets me is why does the government give money to private companies to built things then the public has to pay to used those things. We already ready pay for it with our taxes.

The toll road company is spending more than twice what the government is.  They would not spend that sort of money unless they will get a greater amount in returns.  If the government footed the entire bill and didn't charge a toll, your taxes would have to increase to cover the cost, whether you used the road or not.

Wolseley wrote on Feb 24^th, 2016 at 8:36pm:

Labor voter wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 7:27am: What gets me is why does the government give money to private companies to built things then the public has to pay to used those things. We already ready pay for it with our taxes. The toll road company is spending more than twice what the government is.  They would not spend that sort of money unless they will get a greater amount in returns.  If the government footed the entire bill and didn't charge a toll, your taxes would have to increase to cover the cost, whether you used the road or not.

Only to meet the costs... the government, if it was reaping the same rewards from tolls, would not need to charge as much, for the simple reason that it does not need to pay it's 'shareholders' or its 'ceo' and 'board members in the most handsome way possible.

Government shareholders are road users.... and reap the benefit from lower costs of using OUR roads... they already get their dividend...... no need to push it out and pay your mates handsomely.

**somebody stop me**

...... bring on the 'mums and pops' investors argument ....... LMAO.....

You ever wonder why you can't access the list of 'Statewide Roads' board members etc?  Ever wonder why you can't see a list of shareholders? 

BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL POLITICIANS AND MATES AND FAMILIES OF POLITICIANS......... THEY ARE NOT MUMS AND POPS.

Down at Ye Olde Third World Central American Republic... Austrazil....

"Il Presidente.. the family of Don Hokkesti eesh to make an investment!  Por Favour... is there a franchise that will suit?"

"Si.. is...  ze Coca Cola franchise is all taken by Don Turnbuli... but I theenk there is a chance for ze highways republica.. many vacancies on ze board and on ze head honcho position..... is there.... some little 'preference' you may weesh to show me?"

Si.. SI, Don Caglione.....Il Presidente!    Ees thees small paper bag.. a gesture only of honour.. sufficient?"

"I theenk it will suffice, Muchacho... now we talk beesiness!!  Always is La Republica da Austrazil open for ze business!  All doors are open!"

Wolseley wrote on Feb 24^th, 2016 at 8:36pm:

Labor voter wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 7:27am: What gets me is why does the government give money to private companies to built things then the public has to pay to used those things. We already ready pay for it with our taxes. The toll road company is spending more than twice what the government is.  They would not spend that sort of money unless they will get a greater amount in returns.  If the government footed the entire bill and didn't charge a toll, your taxes would have to increase to cover the cost, whether you used the road or not.

What am i missing ? We have no tolls in WA and i am led to believe tolls havent eased congestion at all via the posts on here .

Wolseley wrote on Feb 24^th, 2016 at 8:36pm:

Labor voter wrote on Feb 13th, 2016 at 7:27am: What gets me is why does the government give money to private companies to built things then the public has to pay to used those things. We already ready pay for it with our taxes. The toll road company is spending more than twice what the government is.  They would not spend that sort of money unless they will get a greater amount in returns.  If the government footed the entire bill and didn't charge a toll, your taxes would have to increase to cover the cost, whether you used the road or not.

Do the taxes increase by a minimum 4% a year for 30 years with no possibility of repeal? That's what some toll road contracts allow.

Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Feb 24^th, 2016 at 8:42pm:

the government, if it was reaping the same rewards from tolls, would not need to charge as much

But it would have to find three or four times the amount of money it has to now if it were to fund the process by itself.


Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Feb 24^th, 2016 at 8:42pm:

You ever wonder why you can't access the list of 'Statewide Roads' board members etc?  Ever wonder why you can't see a list of shareholders?  BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL POLITICIANS AND MATES AND FAMILIES OF POLITICIANS......... THEY ARE NOT MUMS AND POPS.

You could, if you want, obtain information on the directors and on the top 20 shareholders, from ASIC.

With the advancement in driverless car technology, it's next logical step would be personal flying vehicles, so making toll roads obsolete.

Is dumping billions into white elephant roads really a good business plan?

____ wrote on Feb 26^th, 2016 at 5:38am:

With the advancement in driverless car technology, it's next logical step would be personal flying vehicles, so making toll roads obsolete.

That's not going to happen any time soon. So many issues need to be overcome - privacy, idiotic people, powerlines, noise, regulatory requirements ...


____ wrote on Feb 26^th, 2016 at 5:38am:

Is dumping billions into white elephant roads really a good business plan?

This is speculation based on technology that doesn't actually exist. I would wait for the technology to be invented and on the market before worrying about the future of roads.

Wolseley wrote on Feb 25^th, 2016 at 11:38pm:

Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Feb 24th, 2016 at 8:42pm: the government, if it was reaping the same rewards from tolls, would not need to charge as much But it would have to find three or four times the amount of money it has to now if it were to fund the process by itself. Yes -but that would be self-funding from the tolls exacted. Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Feb 24th, 2016 at 8:42pm: You ever wonder why you can't access the list of 'Statewide Roads' board members etc?  Ever wonder why you can't see a list of shareholders?  BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL POLITICIANS AND MATES AND FAMILIES OF POLITICIANS......... THEY ARE NOT MUMS AND POPS. You could, if you want, obtain information on the directors and on the top 20 shareholders, from ASIC.

Why are they not simply upfront and put their names out there for immediate access?  Smoke and fire... I can smell a rorter a hundred miles off.....

Thanks Bam, I have learned some interesting things in this thread:

- toll companies are tax dodgers
- in at least one instance, toll company has raked in 5 times the original cost of the road they built, and has locked the government in to a 30 year contract
- the Victorian government signed a contract with a toll company that forbids the building of a rail link to Melbourne airport
- workers who have no choice but to use toll roads pay as much as $87 per week - with no opportunity for tax deductions

Makes me want to start a campaign against this rort  >:(