CityLink operator Transurban has been accused of imposing excessive toll invoice fees – which for a car can be up to 16 times the cost of tolled travel – to fund its own enforcement system.

The accusation comes as new figures show charges relating to driving on toll roads have continued to place an enormous burden on the Magistrates Court.

Of all types of charges, those for driving on CityLink without a valid pass topped the list in the Magistrates Court for 2015-16, increasing 25 per cent on the previous year to more than 45,830. 

The equivalent charge for EastLink rose by a massive 52 per cent to 27,300 in the same period.

When motorists fail to pay their tolls, CityLink operator Transurban hands the matter over to the Justice Department. Photo: Paul RovereThe combined number of charges for CityLink and EastLink was more than double the second most common charge in the court – theft, on almost 34,000. 

The Magistrates Court's 2015-16 annual report was tabled in State Parliament last week.  It is understood figures for 2016-17 show that although the number of toll road charges dropped substantially, CityLink still accounted for the greatest number of charges in the Magistrates Court.