Brisbane appointment dates
Appointments for eligible customers to discuss their complaints against Linkt Brisbane in person with the Ombudsman are normally available in the TCO offices in the Brisbane CBD. If it is not practical to meet in person, appointments can also be held via Zoom if required. Currently, the Ombudsman is next scheduled to be in Brisbane on:
- 27-28 November 2024
- 4-5 December 2024
If you wish to make an appointment to discuss concerns about Linkt Brisbane, Linkt Melbourne or Linkt Sydney, please email admin@tollingombudsman.com.au and appointments can be arranged in Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney (in-person) or at any time during normal office hours (via Zoom).
All face-to-face appointment availability will remain subject to Federal and State Government guidance regarding relevant health advice and restrictions.
If you would like a telephone appointment with the Ombudsman, please contact us on 1800 145 009 to arrange an appointment.
NSW Government Independent Toll Review Final Report
The Board of the Tolling Customer Ombudsman Limited (the Board) notes the outcome in the Final Report of the Independent Toll Review commissioned by the NSW Government and conducted by Professor Allan Fels AO and Dr David Cousins AM. The Board was gratified to see the Review’s focus on fairness and transparency for motorists – concepts which are enshrined in the TCO scheme’s Terms of Reference.
The Board also welcomed the Review’s adoption of our suggestion for a future model of external dispute resolution for the industry across NSW, QLD and VIC. For more detail, please see the Board’s submission in response to the Interim Report (see 202407-independent-toll-review-2024-public-consultation-submissions.pdf (nsw.gov.au) at p134).
We look forward to continuing to work cooperatively with the relevant state governments to support the adoption of that recommendation and continue to address misperceptions about the independence of the TCO scheme. In the meantime, the board of the Tolling Customer Ombudsman Limited remains committed to ensuring the independence and impartiality of the TCO scheme in order to achieve a fair outcome for those who require our services.
The TCO supports the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
The Tolling Customer Ombudsman Limited strongly supports fair mechanisms which enable power imbalances to be equitably addressed and people who need to be listened to, to have a voice.
While the proposed Voice to Parliament will not solve all the injustices and inequalities which have been visited upon our First Nations Peoples, the Tolling Customer Ombudsman staff and directors strongly support the establishment of the Voice as a vital next step in our collective journey towards true reconciliation and harmony for the multi-cultural peoples of Australia.
To understand more about the 2023 Referendum and receive official information about the debate, please visit the Australian Electoral Commission referendum website.
TCO joins the International Ombudsman Association
On 28 May 2020, the Tolling Customer Ombudsman Limited was granted membership of the International Ombudsman Association (IOA).
The IOA is a member-led, professional association committed to supporting organizational ombuds worldwide. Members are obliged to hold themselves to standards of practice and a code of ethics, both of which can be found here.
New Ombudsman appointed
On 29 January 2020, the Board of the Tolling Customer Ombudsman Limited appointed Mr Phillip Davies to provide tolling customer ombudsman services for customers of Linkt Sydney, Linkt Melbourne, Linkt Brisbane (for travel on AirportLink M7, Gateway Bridge and Logan Motorway) and eWay customers and users.
There will be a short handover period over the course of February 2020 as the Interim Tolling Customer Ombudsman hands over operational control to the new Ombudsman.
Pilot accessibility program completed and operationalised
For a three month period starting in September 2019, the Tolling Customer Ombudsman was available for 2 consecutive days per month for appointments to discuss complaints about Linkt Brisbane in person.
Eligible customers were given an opportunity to discuss their complaints against Linkt Brisbane in person with the Ombudsman. Appointments were available in the Brisbane CBD TCO offices on any of the following dates:
- 19 and 20 September 2019
- 18 and 19 October 2019
- 22 and 23 November 2019
In discussions with stakeholders, TCO has undertaken to continue this offering and for the Ombudsman to work out of the Brisbane office at least two consecutive days per month.
In the event that any customer wishes a meeting with the Ombudsman, appointments can be made to meet in Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney. Simply email admin@tollingombudsman.com.au to make an appointment.
Tolling Customer Ombudsman now on X!
The Tolling Customer Ombudsman service has now joined social media! Follow @CustomerTolling for updates and information.
To ensure your privacy, please note that we will not be able to accept or discuss complaints through social media.
Enhancement of Tolling Customer Ombudsman governance framework
Since 1 July 2019, work has been continuing to enhance the governance framework for the Tolling Customer Ombudsman external dispute resolution scheme. By the end of 2019, the new operator of the scheme will be a not-for-profit public company, formalising the ongoing framework for dispute resolution in this area.
Tolling Customer Ombudsman Limited has an independent board of directors to oversee the Ombudsman. The Board is comprised of an independent Chair, a director with experience in consumer affairs and a director with experience of the toll road operator industry. The board will appoint the ongoing Ombudsman after an open recruitment process.
The new framework, including clearer Terms of Reference, will run in the same manner as other industry-based external dispute resolution schemes and will be more transparent in how we meet the Benchmarks for Industry-Based Customer Dispute Resolution.
More details will be posted on the website, particularly as we transition through from the interim to the ongoing arrangements.
Retirement of Ombudsman
On 30 June 2019, Mr Michael Arnold retired as the Tolling Customer Ombudsman. Recruitment is underway for the new ombudsman, but until an ongoing replacement can be appointed, Mr Nicolas Crowhurst, has been appointed as the Interim Tolling Customer Ombudsman.
Withdrawal of EastLink
With the expiry of Mr Arnold’s appointment, EastLink / ConnectEast has reviewed its approach to its complaints handling process and withdrawn from the TCO Tolling Customer Ombudsman scheme, effective as at 1 July 2019.
From 1 July 2019, complaints for EastLink cannot be handled by the TCO Tolling Customer Ombudsman, but may be referred to the EastLink Customer Advocate. Details can be found at https://www.eastlink.com.au/enquiries/complaints or https://www.eastlink.com.au/enquiries/customeradvocate.