URGENT UPDATE: Canberrans who have been wrongly billed for toll trips they never took could soon join a class action against Transurban, according to legal experts. This potential lawsuit comes as lawyers confirm that errors in billing may have affected numerous residents, sparking a significant opportunity for compensation.
Lawyer Greg Whyte from the firm Piper Alderman is advocating for this class action, citing similar issues with Transurban’s Linkt system in Queensland. “If someone has been charged in error, that opens the door for a class action,” Whyte stated. Many Canberrans have been incorrectly charged for tolls incurred by vehicles with similar license plates in New South Wales (NSW), leading to mounting frustrations.
The scale of the issue is staggering. The NSW government noted that there are 358,000 vehicles registered with Y-plates, a prefix also used in the ACT. This duplication has resulted in automatic systems misidentifying vehicles, causing financial distress for many drivers. “The people who are getting these charges are racking up incredible debts,” Whyte added.
Further complicating matters, if Transurban reimbursed drivers through credits on their Linkt accounts rather than direct payments, it could weaken the chances for a successful class action. Another lawyer, Mitchell Coidan from Slater and Gordon, acknowledged that while a class action is feasible, challenges remain. “It’s possible, but it’s not without its difficulties,” he said.
Transurban has publicly apologized for the confusion stemming from duplicate license plates, labeling the incidents as “rare.” A spokesperson for the company stated, “We sincerely apologize to any customer who has been impacted by duplicate license plates across jurisdictions.”
As this situation unfolds, legal experts are evaluating the best path forward for affected Canberrans. Avinash Singh, a lawyer specializing in vehicle misidentification, believes that the issues with Sydney toll roads are prime for a class action. He currently manages hundreds of cases related to similar misidentifications and emphasizes the urgency of addressing these billing errors.
One affected Canberra driver, Dominic Dichiera, proposed a straightforward solution: “Transurban should publish a picture of the vehicle its cameras believe has traveled the toll road. When proven wrong, they should immediately refund to the card, not credit the account.”
As this potential class action gains traction, Canberrans are urged to stay informed and consider their options for compensation. Legal experts are prepared to navigate the complexities of this case, but they warn that identifying the extent of the issue may prove challenging.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story, as the situation continues to evolve and may significantly impact countless residents in Canberra.
