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This weekend marks the end of an era for one of Australia’s iconic landmarks when the Rees Government will officially close all cash toll booths on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Toll workers will officially close the last booth at 8am Sunday 11 January and from then on the Bridge will be accessible by e-tag only. The decision to axe all cash booths on the bridge has forced thousands of NSW motorists to purchase expensive e-tags to make the crossing.
Public Service Association industrial officer Evan Cole said today would be a tough day for toll booth operators who had worked on the Bridge for decades.
“It’s the end of the road for the 50 dedicated and hard-working toll booth operators today who have worked on the Harbour Bridge for so many years. We are losing one of Sydney’s iconic groups of workers today and the Harbour Bridge will never be the same,” he said.
For Jude Singarayar, who has worked on the Bridge for more than 20 years, it will be a strange feeling to not be helping people pass through the toll-booths on a Monday morning.
“It will definitely be different now that there is no-one left on the Bridge to operate the toll-booths. It’s the end of an era for sure,” said Mr Singarayar.
Mr Cole said the workers were also concerned for the thousands of people who preferred to pay cash on the Bridge.
“Toll-booth operators have been inundated these past couple of months with people’s concerns at the loss of this service. Many motorists including regional visitors, elderly drivers, tourists, casual users and motorcyclists prefer to have a cash option on the bridge because an e-tag is simply not practical.”
“The Government has yet to bring in an e-tag option that is affordable and easy to use without ongoing fees and complications,” said Mr Cole.
Motorists affected by the closure of cash booths on the Sydney Harbour Bridge can find information about the e-tag system by visiting http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/usingroads/etoll/tag/