However, we noted that the financial evaluation of bids focused largely on the upfront payment, with maintaining the maximum payment to the RTA the overriding concern. This is highlighted in the following extract from the report on the financial evaluation of bids. Value for money for motorists - achieving the lowest toll - was of less concern.
The report noted that:
… the Evaluation Team have identified three mechanisms which may result in an increase in the amount paid to RTA ... The mechanism most likely to generate a material improvement in the amount payable to RTA is a minor adjustment to base tolls . As an example, it is estimated that, in the case of the recommended Preferred Proposal, adjustment of heavy vehicles (to be double the toll for cars) would increase payments to RTA by an amount in the order of $40M … Similar analysis for CCM's conforming design Proposals indicate that an increase in the toll for cars of $0.25 (east/west) and $0.40 (SJYC) would increase payments to RTA by an amount in the order of $56M.
Also, the ex-Premier stated at the Nile Inquiry that '. three bids and two of them require the taxpayer to put in money and one of them says "no", you go for the bid that offers the best deal for the taxpayer'. This reinforces the earlier point made about the upfront payment being a decisive criterion. Having offered the highest upfront payment gave a clear result in favour of CCM.