CityLink operator TransUrban reaps $499 million in revenue CityLink owner Transurban has netted $499 million in revenue. Picture: Kylie Else Source: Herald Sun MELBOURNE motorists are pouring more than $1.3 million a day into CityLink's coffers as they pay to use the toll road. CityLink owner Transurban revealed yesterday the 22km road netted it $499 million in revenue last financial year, an increase of 6.5 per cent on the previous year. It told the Australian Stock Exchange weekend drivers were a key reason behind the rising revenue. The number of motorists using the road on Saturdays and Sundays increased by almost 8 per cent in the three months to June. It comes as the Herald Sun can reveal some CityLink tolls have increased by 110 per cent since January 2000. In the latest toll increase, which began on July 1, car drivers must pay $14.75 for a 24-hour pass, an 111 per cent hike compared with $7 when the road opened in 2000. The "Tulla pass" ($2.50 to $5.25) and trip cap ($3.77 to $7.69) have also seen massive increases. Under its contract with the State Government, CityLink can increase its tolls every three months to an annual increase of 4.5 per cent or the rate of inflation, whichever is greater. Tolls increased by 0.92 per cent on July 1. St Vincent de Paul spokesman Gavin Dufty said CityLink tolls were rising above the cost of living. Because of the increases being a minimum of 4.5 per cent, the cost starts to compound. What this means is over time the difference between the underlying cost of living and the increases in tolls gets greater," Mr Dufty said. This is an additional increase to the cost of private transport, which we know many households are struggling with. RACV general manager of policy Brian Negus said he thought the increase in weekend trips reflected growing arterial road congestion on Saturdays and Sundays. "This is especially contributed to by the fact there are no clearways compared with during the week," Mr Negus said. Obviously, motorists are embracing CityLink as a faster and safer option. The average number of daily transactions -- or toll gantry "beeps" -- on CityLink increased from 761,117 in 2011-12 to 779,756 in 2012-13. Transurban spokesman Henry Byrne said the tolls were adjusted each quarter in a transparent way following the prescribed formula in the contract. Transurban, which owns and operates eight toll roads in Australia and America, posted a total toll revenue of $801.2 million in the year to June. Journey type - Jan 2000 - July 2012 - % increase Trip cap $3.77 $7.69 104% Tulla pass $2.50 $5.25 110% 24-hour pass $7 $14.75 111% Burnley Tunnel $2.26 $4.61 104% Source: Victorian Government Gazette and CityLink website Prices for cars