Light rail, construction, road closures are crippling businesses in the Sydney CBD

SYDNEY’S light rail project, construction and road closures is causing massive loses for businesses in the CBD, with some drivers spending more than three hours a day in traffic.

DELIVERY drivers spend up to three hours a day sitting in Sydney’s snarled traffic, with the CBD identified as a congestion hot spot.

In the NRMA’s annual survey­ of almost 800 fleet businesses, more than one third complained the city’s clogged roads cost drivers at least an hour a day in lost time, while more than one in 10 businesses said drivers wasted more than three hours a day in traffic.

A NRMA survey revealed more than one third of businesses complained about the city's clogged roads costing valuable time for drivers. Picture: Jenny Evans

“Business members are telling us that congestion is costing them money and restricting growth,” NRMA chief customer officer Emma Harrington said.

“There is more transport infrastructure being built in Sydney today than at any time in our city’s history. The city desperately needs it.”

The survey found that businesses were desperately awaiting the new roads being built — with more than half saying they plan to use WestConnex and NorthConnex.

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The light rail being built is one of the infrastructure projects causing massive delays. Picture: Christian Gilles

But in the meantime more than 80 per cent of businesses said congestion was worse.

Australian Foundation For Disability (Afford) chief executive Steven­ Herald said that the disability support not-for-profit organisation had up to 200 drivers on the road on any day. “Congestion costs us a fortune,” he said.

His drivers take backstreets to pick up clients and numbers are limited because the pick-ups take so long.

“Don’t even talk to me about trying to use the M5,” he said.

Australian Foundation For Disability CEO Steven Herald in one of the 200 vehicles in his fleet which are being tied up by Sydney's congestion. Photo: Tim Pascoe

His experience is reflected by other fleet businesses surveyed­, with almost half allowing­ more travel time for deliveries or call outs, changing routes or rescheduling meetings to avoid peak hour.

Congestion is not just hitting­ businesses. Sydney workers spend six weeks of their lives commuting every year and spend almost 15 per cent of their income — more than $22,000 for a typical family — on travel.

The NRMA estimates the cost of congestion in Sydney at just under $7 billion and predicts that it will almost double by 2031.