News: TCL Transurban says March qtr average daily traffic rose 5.3 pct, page-12

Transurban main concession in Victoria pays the state government money i.e. a share of revenues.

This is the inverse of roads that cost the givernment money.

It collects the tolls and pays the govt, maintains the roads in a better level of service and quality.

Any excuse to extend the concession is favorable to the government as they get revenue to treasury without being the bad guy politically.

If the government toll the road it would be frowned upon and subject to election whims for its removal. If its locked in contract nothing can be done conveniently.

I think this is a similar situation everywhere state governments get revenue without being the bad guy is an easy out and will not change unless Transurban decides to be disrepectful to the jurisdiction it is operating in.

Even Lindsay Fox blames the Transurban for Citylink toll increases but behind the scenes it is a way to fill up Vic State treasury. Its a tax on transport operators and consumers...which the government less flack for than a direct tax on people.