Travel to work in Australian capital cities, 1976-2006: an analysis of census data

Abstract

This report uses data from 1976 to 2006 Australian censuses to identify the major trends in travel to work in Australia's capital cities over three decades. These findings demonstrate the need for significant changes to federal and state transport policies; especially if Australia is to meet its obligations to combat global warming. Transport is the second-largest source of greenhouse emissions after electricity generation, and the level of transport emissions is growing rapidly. The census data show that treating traffic problems by building more roads is an ineffective response. By contrast, the performance of public transport and walking can be improved more cheaply and would produce superior environmental outcomes. The former federal government's Auslink funding program has exacerbated the problems identified in this report, because it is biased in favour of roads and against public transport. It needs to be replaced by a new 'mode-neutral' funding model which is tied to environmental outcomes, especially the reduction of greenhouse emissions. State governments also need to change their transport policies, which remain dominated by motorway-building. In addition, they need to reform the governance and management of public transport, especially in Sydney and Melbourne, both of which lack competent, dynamic regional public transport agencies.

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