Frustrated truckies say they're better off 'on the dole' after increase to heavy vehicle tax

Frustrated truck drivers have blasted an increase to the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge, claiming the extra fees will put even more pressure on their already strained finances.

The federal government plans to increase the toll from 27.2 cents to 32.4 cents per litre of diesel used by 2025, which some truckies say will create "a domino effect".

Sydney truck driver, Les, told 2GB's Ben Fordham that the move was "just another hit on a cash cow".

READ MORE: Toll increases coming into effect, NSW government warns

"That's all we are the transport industry," Les said.

"We're a cash cow. Every time we do something, the more you do, the more they hit us with taxes.

"We're paying twice the fuel we were from last year...it's ridiculous.

"This is the roads tax being brought back, that's all it is."

READ MORE: Labor introduces plan to cap tolls at $60 per week

Les said that the increase - which is in addition to existing toll, insurance and registration fees - will make "going to work a lot harder".

"I'm paying anywhere up to $1,000 a week (on tolls) in total," he said.

"It's just getting ridiculous, and yeah, the big firms are walking away."

READ MORE: Your two-minute guide to the federal budget

Asked if there was any positive news for truckies in Tuesday's budget announcement, he responded with "no".

"Go on the dole, that's all it tells us - go on the dole and you'll get more money," he said.

"Because the harder we work, the more we have to give the money away."

Another caller, AJ, who owns a trucking business with some 40 vehicles, said the hike will likely mean he'll be unable to distribute raises to staff, due to the already exorbitant price of diesel.

"So, we probably use anywhere from 60 to 70,000 litres of diesel a week, our fuel bills probably, you know, up over $100,000 easily each week," he said.

"They (staff) come to us and go: 'hey boss, we need some more money', but you know, we've got to pay extra for all these things.

"So I just ended up going around and around in circles with these high costs to us."

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