[Greens-Media] Toll evasion further evidence private road projects rob the public

[Alison Orme]

MEDIA RELEASE - 20 September 2006

Toll evasion further evidence private road projects rob the public

Greens MP and roads spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says news that people evading tolls on the Cross City Tunnel and other private motorways are getting off without a fine is further evidence that the public is being short-changed by Public Private Partnerships.

“The RTA has signed away control of tolls roads to the private sector which will always put profits before the public interest,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“Instead of fine revenue from toll roads going into the public purse it’s being lost into the ether. 

“The RTA is doing the right thing and aggressively prosecuting toll evaders on the Harbour Bridge and Harbour Tunnel. But publicly owned infrastructure like this is rapidly becoming extinct.

“Failure to develop a strong fare evasion system shows the shabby state of relationships between the NSW government and private road operators.

“It took a persistent journalist using freedom of information laws to expose this toll evasion debacle, which is the story of the Cross City Tunnel and other private motorway deals,” Ms Rhiannon said. 

More information:  9230 3551 or 0427 861 568


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Tues, Wed and alternate Mons)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au