Source: Anon. 1970. "One-way bridge toll from July 4". The Sydney Morning Herald, June 20: 5.
One way tolling began on July 4, 1970 with the purpose of improving the flow of northbound traffic especially during peak periods. To compensate for the loss of revenue from north bound traffic, the toll was increased to 20 cents (equivalent to $2.44 today), and would remain at that level until 1987.
Source: Anon. 1970. "Evening Peak Tests The Bridge". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 7: 4.
The shift to one way tolling saw the introduction of movable toll barriers that could be folded to allow for the free flow of northbound traffic in the evening, while serving southbound traffic during the morning peak.
Source: Yeomans, J. 1970. " The Bridge gets concertina gates for one way pay". The Sun Herald, June 7: 51 & 84.
However the doubling of the southbound toll to twenty cents saw a drop in revenue as some drivers sought to save money travelling via the Gladesville Bridge. This was anticipated as reported by The Daily Mirror.
Source: Anon. 1970. "One-way charge on Bridge". The Daily Mirror, June 23: 24.
The Daily Telegraph (21 July 1970) reported that revenue from the tolls had decreased by an average of $600 per day, meaning that annual loss of $200 000 in revenue was projected.
Source: Anon. 1970. "$600 Toll Loss Daily". The Daily Telegraph, July 21: 1.
The toll booths operated until 2009, when e-tolling was made compulsory for motorists crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. However they were not removed until 2016. Below is a video from "Ventia" that was posted on Vimeo.
The RBA Inflation Calculator was used to determine the equivalent value of the tolls in 1970 against that of 2022, adjusting for inflation.
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