Warning after Sydney driver says she’s ‘not paying’ $800 toll bill
A young healthcare worker has racked up a huge debt just getting to work, but after stating she’s “not paying it”, officials issued a warning.
A Sydney woman has been issued with a public warning by authorities after she went viral for confessing she owes hundreds of dollars in unpaid tolls.
Jade, known on TikTok as @jadeotanzasz, exposed the extent of her monetary problem when she shared a video of herself dancing with a handful of envelopes.
“One thing about me is I’m not paying my tolls,” she said in the video.
“I work as a disability support worker, and often find myself going in the WestConnex up to 4 times a day – totalling $56,” Jade told news.com.au.
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WestConnex is a toll tunnel network in inner Sydney which brings together the M4, M5 and M8 motorways.
But, the fines only really started to stack up when she went on a six-week unpaid nursing placement.
Without an income, Jade was unable to pay the bills, with it quickly building up to around $800.
However, she also made the choice to use toll roads rather than alternatives. For instance, the toll-free Parramatta Road rather than the M4.
A number of Sydneysiders said they were in the same boat, pushing back on how expensive driving in the city has become.
“Sydney, the most tolled city in the world,” said one person.
“I racked up over $500 in tolls for my nursing placement … like … I’m just trying to get to and from my unpaid placement,” another shared.
“As if petrol wasn’t expensive enough, they out here making me pay to drive on the roads they built that we paid for from our taxes,” said a third.
Despite being promised an end of “tollmania” by Premier Chris Minns, it’s long been claimed that Sydney is the most tolled city in the world. It’s not clear whether this is the case. For instance, you can’t even enter central London or New York without paying a toll while in Sydney motorists can avoid the toll roads.
Nonetheless, the WestConnex M4 toll road is the most expensive in Sydney, with a maximum toll of $10.38 for Class A vehicles. An extended trip including multiple stages of this road could set you back $12.25, when the toll is capped at 16kms.
Many people were concerned about the consequences of holding out on paying your tolls.
“Girl, I’d be careful – a friend didn’t pay his tolls for months and his licence ended up getting suspended,” one person shared.
“Would they give you a loan if you don’t pay these? Like house loans and stuff? Curious,” another asked.
“I legit was ignoring all of mine and just last week I got an almost $500 fine for unpaid tolls, and I had a suspension pending until I made a payment plan,” said another person, in the same boat.
Despite being promised an end of “tollmania” by Premier Chris Minns, it’s long been claimed that Sydney is the most tolled city in the world. It’s not clear whether this is the case. For instance, you can’t even enter central London or New York without paying a toll while in Sydney motorists can avoid the toll roads.
Nonetheless, the WestConnex M4 toll road is the most expensive in Sydney, with a maximum toll of $10.38 for Class A vehicles. An extended trip including multiple stages of this road could set you back $12.25, when the toll is capped at 16kms.
Many people were concerned about the consequences of holding out on paying your tolls.
“Girl, I’d be careful – a friend didn’t pay his tolls for months and his licence ended up getting suspended,” one person shared.
“Would they give you a loan if you don’t pay these? Like house loans and stuff? Curious,” another asked.
“I legit was ignoring all of mine and just last week I got an almost $500 fine for unpaid tolls, and I had a suspension pending until I made a payment plan,” said another person, in the same boat.
A Transport for NSW spokesman confirmed to news.com.au that there can be harsh repercussions for those who don’t pay their tolls.
“While the overwhelming majority of motorists pay their tolls, there is a robust enforcement framework for those who do not,” they said.
The current toll compliance model requires motorists without a valid tag, pass or account to make payment within three days of travel. If they don’t, a toll notice is issued with a $10 administration fee and a 14-day payment window.
A further failure to pay results in a final toll notice with an additional $20 fee, after which compliance escalates through civil debt recovery, penalty notices, suspension of vehicle registration or licence, and ultimately court action.
“All motorists who travel on toll roads should hold a valid tolling account. Toll providers also offer hardship support for those motorists who need it,” the spokesman said.
Originally published as Warning after Sydney driver says she’s ‘not paying’ $800 toll bill
