4.4 Recommendation 

Ensure the price paid for mobility supports the efficient movement of people and goods by leading the transition to a nationally coordinated and multimodal transport network pricing regime. 

Proposed sponsor: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: State and territory transport departments, state and territory treasuries

When this should impact:

Where this should impact:

4.4.1 Meet community and stakeholder expectations for transparency and fairness by establishing a nationally consistent governance framework for transport network pricing reforms. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: Australian Treasury, state and territory transport departments

Increase confidence in the fairness of the transport network pricing reform process by specifying the minimum level of protection that will be in place during the reform implementation period for users who are at risk of disadvantage for financial or geographic reasons. Reinforce this by nominating the independent agency that will monitor the rollout of user protections in each jurisdiction. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: State and territory transport departments

Increase confidence in the user benefits of transport network pricing reforms by developing and seeking National Cabinet endorsement for hypothecation principles. Under these principles, road and public transport revenues will fund integrated and multimodal programs that deliver sustainable mobility outcomes based on projected user needs. 

Proposed lead: Australian Treasury 

Supported by: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, state and territory transport departments, state and territory treasuries

Demonstrate a collaborative approach to the implementation of transport network pricing reforms by developing and seeking National Cabinet endorsement for the principles that jurisdictions will follow when taking the lead in implementing reforms. These will include a commitment to timely information sharing that facilitates the cross-jurisdictional co-delivery of reforms. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: State and territory transport departments

4.4.2 Ensure users pay for the true costs of mobility by implementing transport network pricing reforms. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: Australian Treasury, Department of Home Affairs, National Transport Commission, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, state and territory transport departments

Develop state and territory capability to administer an equitable and efficient user-pays charging regime for all vehicle types. Adopt and work towards this objective through the implementation of Heavy Vehicle Road Reform by participating jurisdictions. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: National Transport Commission, state and territory transport departments

Support the efficient operation of urban transport networks in Fast-growing Cities by developing and implementing policy frameworks that impose an additional price on vehicle parking and use in areas affected by peak period congestion. Ensure revenues support the provision of alternative travel choices. 

Proposed lead: State and territory transport departments 

Supported by: Local governments

Develop a national distance-based road user charging regime for all types of vehicles. Ensure the design of the regime addresses risks to privacy and cyber security. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Department of Home Affairs, state and territory transport departments

Maintain at least the level of revenue received from current road user taxes and charges by implementing a national distance-based road user charging regime, with associated changes to the fixed costs of vehicle ownership. 

Proposed lead: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications 

Supported by: State and territory transport departments

Review and reconfigure city public transport networks to optimise the number of users who can access centre-based jobs and services within a 30-minute or better performance standard. 

Proposed lead: State and territory transport departments

Review and adjust public transport fares to ensure they reflect the quality of travel experience provided and promote efficient network use. To make fares equitable, reduce the cost of journeys requiring: 

•  modal transfer, relative to 'single-seat' journeys 

•  the use of on-road public transport services, relative to rail 

•  the use of non-peak relative to peak services. 

Proposed lead: State and territory transport departments

Develop and implement strategies to upgrade legacy rail networks in Fast-growing Cities and Smaller Cities by increasing revenues from non-transport activities and development outcomes that benefit from proximity to urban rail services. 

Proposed lead: State and territory transport departments

Increase the per-kilometre cost of using regional rail services between Fast-growing Cities and Smaller Cities or Regional Centres when these services are upgraded. Allocate the additional revenue directly to further service improvements. 

Proposed lead: State and territory transport departments