Why did the Sydney Harbour tunnel change to cashless tolling?
The Sydney Harbour Tunnel changed to cashless tolling as part of the eventual move to a fully electronic Sydney orbital. Cashless tolling assists in the management of the motorway network with no stopping required to pay tolls and no merging after the toll plazas.
How will I know which lane to use?
There are two lanes on approach to the toll plaza, through the plaza and entering into the Sydney Harbour Tunnel. The lanes will be separated by markers to help drivers follow the new road alignment.
There is no need to slow down at the toll plazas for your tag to work, however please observe the speed limit, take care and read the signs while motorists adjust to the new arrangements.
I don’t have an electronic tag but I want to use the Harbour Tunnel. What can I do?
The Sydney Harbour Tunnel has been fully electronic since 8 July. You cannot use cash to pay the toll. You can get an electronic tag from the RTA or use any tag supplied by other toll providers. All tags are interoperable and can be used on all motorways. The RTA has an infrequent user tag for infrequent motorway users that may suit your needs.
If you don’t have a tag you can register for an RTA E-Toll pass for Harbour Tunnel trips . The RTA E-Toll pass is for visitors to Sydney and casual users of the Sydney Harbour Tunnel . The RTA E-Toll pass may also be used on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Pass users on the Sydney Harbour Bridge must use the lanes marked with the red and white ‘e’ symbol.
You can register for a pass before you use the Harbour Tunnel or Bridge or up to 48 hours after your trip. Additional fees apply for pass users. To find out more about the RTA E-Toll pass, click here
You can still travel on the usual routes across the Sydney Harbour Bridge or the Cahill Expressway and pay cash for the toll. However, we strongly recommend that motorists wishing to use the harbour crossings get a tag. With no stopping to pay a toll, traffic flows better in the E lanes. Too many cash paying motorists using the Cahill Expressway will cause heavy congestion.
What information was provided regarding the changes?
Information was provided from the middle of June to advise motorists of the new arrangements in the following ways:
Press, radio and online advertising.
Transit advertising on buses in the city, north shore and eastern suburbs.
Variable message signs will be used on the approach routes to the Gore Hill Freeway, Sydney Harbour Tunnel supported the advertising and reinforced the date of the changes and other important information.
The RTA website.
Are there any changes for heavy or oversize vehicles?
Heavy vehicles should use the left lane on the southbound approach to the Harbour Tunnel.
Overheight vehicles should not use the Harbour Tunnel but use alternate routes including the Cahill Expressway, the Sydney Harbour Bridge or Victoria Road.
Alarms are triggered if overheight vehicles attempt to use the Harbour Tunnel. Heavy vehicles should use the left lane so that overheight vehicles can safely divert to the Bradfield Highway.
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