Loyalty cards for toll roads: The plan that could change the way we drive
A secret plan is being worked up by the New South Wales premier to overhaul how drivers pay tolls, by potentially introducing a "loyalty scheme" for regular users.
9NEWS understands Gladys Berejiklian and her office are "war gaming" a policy which will see drivers receive free or discounted travel on toll roads after they hit a certain amount of trips in a week.
Sources close to discussions say the scheme is similar to what was available when the Opal Card was first introduced, where after eight journeys on public transport the rest of the week was free.
It's understood if the policy gets the green light it will apply to all toll roads in Sydney.
"I want to assure the community if there is a way for me to reduce those cost of living pressures, I'll find it," Premier Berejiklian said.
The Opposition's campaign against the new M4 toll has been hurting the government, especially in Westconnex Minister Stuart Ayres' seat of Penrith. Sources say this is a way to blunt their political weapon.
"She is not doing it out of the good of her heart. This is really about a deeply unpopular policy," Shadow Roads Minister Jodi McKay said.
There are at least five new tolls being introduced over the next six years, as Northconnex and Westconnex open to drivers.
Since the toll on the M4 Widening was introduced last month, there has been a rough drop of 30,000 drivers a day between Church Street Parramatta and Homebush Bay Drive at Homebush.
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