Getting changes in NSW

Following on from Zebee's comments (in the "Parking ticket at the Syd
Motorcycle Show" thread) about getting things changed in NSW, I am inclined
to agree about the hopelessness of getting footpath parking legalised.

However I strongly feel that with a bit of united action, we could certainly
get some other things changed in NSW. First (as mentioned) a campaign to get
the amount of dedicated motorcycle parking increased. (Already discussed in
the above thread).

Secondly, the removal of all tolls for motorcycles, as in Victoria. It is
absurd that my ute with a trailer and two bikes on it costs $2.20 on the M4,
but if we ride the 2 bikes it costs $4.40. It is equally absurd that a 50cc
scooter should pay the same toll as a 1 ton van carrying 500kg of cargo.

I'm not sure how to actually go about lobbying for such a change, but if the
MCC were to design a plan of action, I'd certainly do my part to help out.
I'm sure between BA, GRO, Ulysses and the various other clubs in NSW (plus
the NSW aus.motians) we could rally enough people to get something
happening.

Manning

 

In aus.motorcycles on Sun, 16 May 2004 18:02:41 +1000

Tolls are on the agenda. If you want to help, come to the MCC meeting on
the 7th June at the Ryde Ex-Services club (we meet in the bowling
clubhouse at 7:30pm) and volunteer.

If you can't make the meeting, ring Ray on (02) 9833 7794 or email the
MCC at

If you email, add in the skills you have so we can find work to suit.
Any kind of management or project management experience, writing,
research, stats, accounting, co-ordination, public service experience,
anything like that. Even if you feel a bit light on in that regard but
are willing to learn, we can find someone to apprentice you to as long
as you will put in the time and effort.

We don't need protesters, that's fun but not effective. We need people
who are willing to knuckle down and work, who can do the lobbying, who
can put on suits and go to government meetings and put riders' views and
work on committees, who can research and write project briefs, manage
other volunteers and do the other kinds of unglamorous work that is what
gets these reforms made.


Zebee

 

Good luck... The reason we don't have motorcycle tolls in Victoria is not
because they feel charitable towards motorcyclists, but because they have not
devised an appropriate (or acceptable) means of identifying and tolling
motorcyclists due to their front facing cameras on the tolling gantries. That
has apparently not been an obstacle in NSW, hence you have to pay tolls,
however I think that you could argue for appropriate tolls. Making you pay as
much as a car or other heavy vehicles is a joke.

Nev..
'03 ZX12R

 

In aus.motorcycles on Sun, 16 May 2004 19:18:39 +1000

If they can't make a workable e-tag then they'll have to allow bikes for
free. The current versions - tested recently - look good apparently.

One advantage of e-tags will be that it will be easier to argue for
differential tolling.

Offers of help for the toll project to the MCC address

Zebee

 

if you wait they shall come

talk of removing toll booths in NSW and being etag only

you can bet they wil lbe looking harder at making etags for bikes ,
which will then mean the end of free rides in Vic as well

 

Done - I'll be there.

Hmmm... I'm a suit-and-tie wearing, laptop-wielding project manager for
accounting and financial reporting systems. General this is something I'm
too embarassed to mention, but it might come in handy after all.

Manning

 

In aus.motorcycles on Sun, 16 May 2004 23:45:29 +1000

Good oh! We usually have dinner at the club bistro beforehand,
otherwise rock up to the club (parking underneath the bowling club) and
introduce yourself. I'l the short wide blonde.

Zebee

 

Zebee - we've already met Christmas run up to Mt White. Never mind, we'll
meet all over again.

Cheers Manning

 

Manning said....

What about the removal of all tolls, period? How long you guys been
paying for them roads, now? And what is your government doing with all
the cash that it gets for road grants, fuel taxes, rego, stamp duty on
vehicle insurance, etc.?

This current government is likely to lose a lot of seats because of a
new "free"way that's now going to be tolled. It may lose government.
Another government was decimated, due in part no doubt, to it setting up
new roads that are tolled (Citylink).

And then there's privatisation. I notice that Carr isn't too keen on
going down THAT path....

 

Johnnie5 said....

Not that Transurban, the operators of Citylink tollways, will see much
of an increase in revenue. Already, rat runs, where cars divert off the
tollways to avoid them are a huge problem for local councils. Motorbikes
won't see them as a problem. And then there is low number of bikes
around the place, anyway. Will the money spent on developing a bike
e-tag be recouped?

 

Trying to hold together a city which has burgeoned out of control and is now
strangling itself.

As for the freeways, the tolls don't go to the state government, but
primarily the construction companies which built them (the state government
effectively taxes the tolls for its own slice of the action). The companies
build the freeways at a supposed discount while the state gov't handles all
the bickering over compulsory land acquisition and similar malarkey, and the
road, once completed, is tolled for a pre-agreed period of the order of
30-40 years, with the main proceeds going to the construction companies and
the government tacking its own share on top.

It looks good on the state government balance sheet because it makes the
up-front costs seem low, and the construction companies like it because it
guarantees a fuss-free income stream for many years to come.

A few years ago now, fuming residents out in the sticks forced the
government to introduce a rebate system. You sign up, pay for your regular
usage of toll roads, then claim it back at the end of the financial year or
thenabouts, thus making for a fine corporate welfare arrangement.

 

ah but you are thinking about a seperate etag for bikes

i would bet the one for sydney would be used for cars and bikes
1 for all , all for 1

the M2 toll road here is now on its 2nd version of etags

 

And it meant that the Gov't could divert the road funding to more
important things - like hospitals and health...

Hang on a minute...

Stan

 

Only on the Sydney Harbour Tunnell, apparently.

Which is bad enough, if you're not a regular, or object to the
additional "tax" they apply as a "deposit" for the tag.

If they can find a way to add tolls for bikes, they will. Enjoy it while
you can, Victorians.

DaZZa

 

just wait and see how it all goes

remember the orbital they are building , smells just like the Mel Ring road

they will just wait and see

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/55/36345.html

 

Yes of course eventually they will but it won't be etag technology, even if
that is implemented in other states. It's been 5 years since the tollroad
opened in Melbourne, and etags seem no more likely now than they have at any
time in the past. The tollroad operators can efficiently toll vehicles
without etags using front number plate identification. My bet is that rather
than spending their own money developing etags for bikes, (they bear the
cost), they'll wait until front number plates are implemented for bikes
(Vicroads or bike owners bear the cost).

Nev..
'03 ZX12R