‘They don’t want to pay for it’: The much awaited West Gate Tunnel still not reaching full potential

New reports have revealed that the much anticipated, billion dollar West Gate Tunnel has delivered only half the traffic relief promised by the Allan government since it opened in December.

Originally built to be an alternative to take pressure off the West Gate Bridge, high tolls have meant drivers have been opting out of using it.

Appearing on 3AW Afternoons with Tony Moclair, Victorian Transport Association Chief Executive, Peter Anderson, said the West Gate Bridge has taken lots of pressure off local streets, and now it’s time for the tunnel to do the same.

Press PLAY to hear why the tunnel is being underused 

“The industry isn’t using it to its full potential, of course, and that’s obvious in the data, but a lot of it has to do with the fact that our customers don’t really want to pay for the cost of the tunnel itself”, Anderson said.

Despite the underdelivered use, the West Gate Tunnel has boosted travel speeds for commuters on the West Gate Bridge by nearly 20 per cent, an independent analysis has found.

Image: Nine News