Brisbane’s worst toll dodgers

Shameless toll dodgers are pilfering tens-of-thousands of dollars from Brisbane ratepayers every day, with the unpaid bills ballooning to more than $100 million. The city’s worst offenders owe more than $32,000 each, with most driving the same style of car.

Shameless toll dodgers are pilfering tens-of-thousands of dollars from Brisbane ratepayers every day, with the unpaid bills ballooning to more than $100 million and the city’s worst offenders owing more than $32,000 each.

Data obtained by The Courier-Mail shows that motorists have racked up $130,439,472 in unpaid tolls fines for trips on the Go Between Bridge and the Legacy Way and Clem7 tunnels between February 2011 and September 2020.

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That’s the equivalent of around $260,000 a week, $37,000 each day or $25.75 each minute.

Brisbane’s worst serial offenders have themselves amassed almost $200,000 in unpaid fines as a consequence of some 1,131 unpaid trips across council’s tolls roads. Four of the five worst offenders drive SUVs.

This Nissan LK Series delivery truck is among the worst offending vehicles, with $36,572 in unpaid fines.

Among the list of worst offenders is a Nissan LK series delivery truck that is responsible for more than 220 unpaid trips worth more than $36,000.

The most notorious toll dodger – the driver of a Nissan Murano – owes more than $42,300 for 258 trips, while the driver of a Nissan X-Trail has amassed a $41,820 bill for 255 infringements.

The vehicle with the most in unpaid fines is this Nissan Murano. The owners owe $42,312 in unpaid fines.

A Brisbane City Council spokesman said toll dodgers were detracting from council’s ability to invest in future projects and were “letting down all of the Brisbane residents who do the right thing”.

This Nissan X Trail has racked up $41,820 in unpaid fines over 255 infringements.

“Council is not able to invest this unpaid revenue into additional services and assets for the community,” the spokesman said.

A freeze on tolling infringements was declared for April, May and June – still, council recorded some $3 million in unpaid tolls, from 15,800 tips, last financial year.

Between tolls returning in July until September 18, Council recorded more than 4750 unpaid trips on its toll roads – to the value of $921,092.

This Toyota Rav4 also makes the list, with $33,576 in unpaid fines.

Council’s toll roads are managed by Transurban, who issue toll invoices to motorists for any unpaid trips.

“If this is not paid, council will contact the customer about the matter and arrange payment,” a council spokesman said.

Uncollected debts are then referred to the State Penalties Enforcement Register (SPER) which has the ability to suspend licenses, “immobilise” vehicles with parking clamps and retrieve owed amounts from wages and bank accounts among other powers.

This Mazda CX5 has racked up $32,298 in unpaid fines.

Brisbane’s worst toll dodgers:

1. Nissan Murano – $42,312 in unpaid fines – 258 infringements

2. Nissan X Trail – $41,820 in unpaid fines – 255 infringements

3. Nissan LK Series – $36,572 in unpaid fines – 223 infringements

4. Toyota Rav4 – $33,576 in unpaid fines – 198 infringements

5. Mazda CX5 – $32,298 in unpaid fines – 197 infringements