A new book by Monash University transport researcher Professor Graham Currie says many residents of outer suburbs are forced to use cars because of poor public transport.As reported in The Herald Sun today, the research found that more than 20,000 of the poorest households in the city's outer suburbs are being forced to run two cars because of a lack of public transport.
The Monash University research found that households in Wyndham, Melton, Caroline Springs, Casey, Cardinia, Hume and Whittlesea were identified as the growth areas at greatest social risk from the lack of public transport. The lack of transport options on Melbourne's fringe is likely to worsen under plans to further the urban sprawl.
Meanwhile, The Age has reported that Melbourne’s population is set to swell to 5 million – pushing overstretched infrastructure beyond breaking point. The Age said ‘the population explosion will compound anxiety about urban congestion, housing affordability and water security, while adding to pressure on the State Government over how to manage it.’
Two cars too many - what can we do to make public transport work for more people?
4 comments:
I believe that VicRoads is planning to duplicate Plenty Road to South morang, but we can't afford a rail extension. obviously, PT is not seen as a relevant solution. Of course with a 20 minute/30 minute service interval, it probably isn't.
Roads can give rise to social polarisation, obesity, traffic congestion, economic deprivation and environmental degradation. Roads, in other words, are not sensible options - although the RACV is too keen on having us all deluded into thinking the contrary.
Public transport needs to be free during peak hour - when we need it the most. This would help its appeal. Why not double decker trains? More parking at train stations is a huge issue. Sometimes I drive to the nearest station to find no parks available, I keep driving to the next station and discover the same thing, and the next. . . until I may as well keep driving to the city.
Having recently relocated from South Africa, I am busy weighing up options for commuting to to work. The sad truth is that travelling by car is way quicker than using public transport, and if I share with a colleague who lives in the same suburb as me, cheaper too.
This illustrates all to simply the issue with attractiveness of public transport, which needs to be improved.
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