Better public transport is the key to tackling traffic congestion in Sydney, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says, as she ruled out a tax on drivers coming into the city.
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Ms Berejiklian rejected a think tank's recommendation that congestion charging for the morning and afternoon peak could significantly free up the CBD's clogged roads.
The Grattan Institute has called on the country's major cities to follow the example of global hubs such as London and Singapore.
But Ms Berejiklian said drivers already paid road tolls.
"The best way to reduce congestion into the future is to build major public transport projects," she told reporters in Merrylands, in western Sydney, on Monday.
"Our state's seeing more investment in public transport than ever ... That's what we're aiming towards, not a congestion tax."
The idea was also rejected by NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance, who said since 2015 there had been a 13 per cent decrease in the number of vehicles entering Sydney's CBD.
"I expect this trend to continue as we open more public transport projects including the CBD Light Rail and City and Southwest Metro, which will make it even easier for people to get around on our public transport network and leave their car at home," he said in a statement.
Australian Associated Press
