Wednesday 13 June 2007

MEDIA RELEASE

Northern Beaches users of the Sydney Harbour Tunnel should ensure they have electronic toll tags before the tunnel goes cashless on Sunday July 8, Manly MP Mike Baird said today.

 “With less than a month before cash tolls are removed from the tunnel all northern beaches drivers, particularly those who use the tunnel regularly, should get their e-tags now,” Mr Baird said.

“While the government has taken too long to make the tunnel cashless I applaud the move. Electronic tags get rid of lengthy queues at toll plazas meaning traffic moves more efficiently.”

Mr Baird said the electronic tags were available through the Roads and Traffic Authority’s (RTA) website www.rta.nsw.gov.au or a host of private companies. They can be used on all electronic toll roads.

Those companies include:

• E-Way (www.tollpay.com.au)
• Beep Tag (www.crosscity.com.au)
• Express Tag (www.expresstag.com.au)
• Roam e-TAG & e-PASS (www.roam.com.au)

“These companies typically provide a range of different e-tags depending on how often motorists use toll roads so it is best to examine all options before buying,” Mr Baird said.

Meanwhile motorists will still have the option of using cash on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and can access the Eastern Distributor (including Sydney airport) by using the Cahill Expressway.