By Sam McKeith in Sydney

The NSW government has urged Sydney motorists to access its toll road relief scheme, with $140 million unclaimed over the first 12 months of the cost-of-living support measure.

Drivers who spend more than $60 in tolls weekly can claim the excess back under the so-called “toll cap” introduced by the Minns government in January 2024 to help highly-tolled residents in western Sydney.

Roads Minister John Graham said on Monday that while  $75 million had so far been paid to motorists, $140 million was yet to be claimed.

“I want to remind motorists to get on to the Service NSW website and claim what they are entitled to in relief,” Mr Graham said in a statement.

More than 276,000 claims were paid since the scheme started on an average claim of $277, the government said.

There were 115 suburbs where the average claim was $300 or above, including Parramatta, Lidcombe, Schofields, Westmead, Toongabbie, Merrylands and Auburn.

Some 720,000 road users were now eligible to make a claim, according to the government.

“We know people are doing it tough and the toll cap is making it just that little bit fairer for drivers that heavily rely on the toll roads,” Mr Graham said, adding that reform talks with private toll road companies continued.

In December, the government struck an in-principle deal with toll road operator Transurban for a network-wide pricing system in a bid to ease the impact of toll payments on motorists.

The initial deal would clear the way for more formal discussions as the parties worked to strike an agreement that would supersede existing toll arrangements, the government has said.

“The NSW government is progressing with toll reform to make tolls fairer overall,” Mr Graham said on Monday.

The NSW Liberal opposition was contacted for comment.