NSW:Sydney commuters will pay $85k: Opposition

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2010
NSW:Sydney commuters will pay $85k: Opposition

SYDNEY, Dec 30 AAP - The average motorist in Sydney's northwest will pay $85,000 in
tolls before Labor delivers a train line, the NSW opposition says.

The government's pre-election transport plan to deliver the northwest rail link by
2024 means motorists driving from northwest Sydney to the CBD every day will pay thousands
of dollars over the next 14 years, opposition leader Barry O'Farrell said on Thursday.

The opposition worked out motorists will pay an average of $85,000 in M7, M2, Lane
Cove Tunnel and Sydney Harbour Bridge tolls between now and 2024.

"If Labor had fulfilled its promise to deliver the northwest rail link by 2010, local
residents would be able to catch the train to work in the city each day," Mr O'Farrell
said in a statement.

"Instead, they are forced to endure hours in gridlocked traffic, paying escalating tolls."

If elected, Mr O'Farrell said his government would prioritise the northwest rail link
and start construction in the first term of government.

AAP ih/jh

KEYWORD: TRANSPORT

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