Sydney Harbor Bridge: Tunnel tolls are set to increase as early as next month

Sydney Harbor Bridge and Tunnel tolls will increase for the first time in more than 14 years.

From October 29, motorists will pay more as tolls rise by 6.8 per cent as the New South Wales government seeks to make the road system fairer.

The cost of using the bridge increases from $4.00 to $4.27 during peak times, weekdays between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and between 4 and 7 p.m.

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Off-peak fees increase from $3.00 to $3.20 and nighttime fees increase from $2.50 to $2.67.

All additional revenue will be used to fund the government’s toll relief package, which caps weekly toll costs at $60 for about 720,000 drivers.

The package is estimated to save drivers in the suburbs with the highest tolls an average of up to $540 per year.

Roads Minister John Graham said it was appropriate to increase tolls to cover the costs of using roads elsewhere.

“A toll increase is never welcome, but this increase will help ease the burden on other motorists,” he said.

“Western Sydney motorists, who have little choice but to use the motorways for work and family travel, have faced annual – and in many cases quarterly – toll increases since 2009, while bridge and tunnel tolls remain the same.”

Bridge and tunnel tolls are required by law to be reviewed annually, but have not changed in the last twelve years of coalition government.

Meanwhile, the cost of using roads in the city’s west, many of which are owned by private company Transurban, has risen sharply.