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Follow TURFMelbourne to trade tolls in off-peak hours to get fixed price during peak
Citylink boss Scott Charlton said charging for off-peak times on toll roads could ease Melbourne's traffic congestion
By Amelia Harris
Herald Sun
September 3, 2013
Transurban CEO Scott Charlton said congestion could be eased in peak times by selling blocks of off-peak time on toll roads in exchange for fixed price contracts.
Speaking at a Freight Week conference run by the Victorian Transport Association and the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce conference, he acknowledged reform was "politically charged".
But he said leaders could not wait for the perfect solution or keep building their way out of congestion.
Reforms should allow customers "to make the most efficient choices", he said.
"Imagine waking up in Melbourne and accessing an app on a smart device that compares the full suite of travel options for the morning commute, including accurate travel times and cost," Mr Charlton said.
He said Google provided real time information, which could be used by commuters and transport bosses.
"Pricing could be used to shift commuters across transport modes to where the least amount of congestion exists, and alert the users to transport choices that will minimise their commute times," he said.
"This obviously applies to freight as well as commuters."
Transurban's 495 Express Lane project in Northern Virginia has tolled express lanes alongside free lanes.
Charges vary according to the amount of congestion, while cars with more than three people and buses travel for free.
Meanwhile, more clearways and better use of the money raised from cars towed from clearways could also be used to ease congestion on Melbourne's roads, he said.
Congestion is estimated to cost the community at least $3 billion a year.
RACV general manager of public policy Brian Negus called for permanent clearways on Punt Rd, Hoddle St, Nepean Highway Alexandra Parade and Springvale Rd.
"You go overseas to most European countries, there is no parking on most of the city streets, especially those with trams," Mr Negus said.
"I think it is something we have to confront."
Victorian Transport Association executive director Phil Lovel said the $322 fine for parking in a clearway should go directly into VicRoads' clearway budget, which is $1.37 million in 2013-14, rather than consolidated revenue.