smooth end to eastlinks free ride

Smooth end to EastLink's free ride
Andrea Rotondi
July 28, 2008 - 2:06PM
The operator of EastLink says the switch to tolling went smoothly yesterday, but the toll's impact on traffic numbers will not be known until next week.

Drivers on EastLink began paying tolls at 12.01am yesterday after a four-week free ride.

"We have made a smooth transition to tolling but it is too early to draw conclusions," said ConnectEast spokesman James Tonkin. "We're expecting traffic to settle as motorists determine what routes work best for them."

According to Mr Tonkin, traffic was "a bit lighter" today, but that was expected because of a rostered day off in the industrial sector.

Average daily trip information for the toll-free period will be released by the end of the week and traffic data for the first week of tolls will be available next week.

However, trip data on a day-by-day basis will not be released because the information is "market sensitive".

Car trips on EastLink - a fully electronic tollway that uses a distance-based tolling system - can cost from 33 cents for short journeys up to $4.96 for a full 39-kilometre trip.

The introduction of the toll comes as new research from insurer AAMI shows that Melbourne drivers are increasingly willing to pay tolls to avoid road congestion.

According to AAMI, driver support for tolls to ease congestion rose from 17% to 23% compared to last year.

The research also revealed that one in six Melbourne drivers believe that car drivers who enter the central business district should pay an access toll or tax.