Benefits of an Effective Public Transport SystemEffective public transport systems offer compelling benefits for the Australian economy, community and environment including:
Interesting Facts about Urban Rail
Major IssuesCongestion Historically the majority of government transport expenditure has been committed to roads rather than public transport. As a consequence Australia is among the highest ‘road metres per capita’ in the world. Across Australia, road use and urban road congestion is on the rise in major cities, not just in central areas but also in the middle and outer edges. This not only affects morning and evening peaks but impacts on other times during the day and at weekends due to the higher dependency on private motor vehicles and low urban density. Increased road use is primarily caused by economic prosperity, resulting in greater freight movements, population growth and higher rates of car ownership. Freight carried by light commercial vehicles is a major contributor of urban congestion and these movements are expected to grow by 3% a year to 2020. Almost half of Australia’s total urban vehicle kilometres travelled are currently performed under congested traffic conditions (Endnote 2). This contributes to increased levels of air and noise pollution and can reduce the competitiveness of a city by impeding the flows of people and freight and its ability to attract businesses and skilled employees (Endnote 3). Congestion costs the Australian economy $15 billion a year and this is forecast to double by 2015 without action. In 2001 this was estimated to be 2.6% of GDP in Australia compared to 1.5% (USA), 1.9% (Western Europe) and 2% (OECD average). Road congestion adversely affects business productivity not only for freight deliveries but for individual employees. Long commuting time in private cars can cause stress, increased social isolation, reduced work productivity and loss of available time for family and community life. Light rail (tram) and bus operations are also affected by congestion. Environmental and Health Australia accounts for 1.5% of global C02 emissions, but has one of the highest overall rates of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per capita and high per capita emissions for transport activities. GHG emissions from transport in Australia grew by 16% between 1990 and 2000 and are expected to grow about seven times the overall rate up to 2020 (Endnote 2). Private motor vehicles comprise the largest single source of transport-related GHG emissions followed by trucks (Endnote: 4). In contrast, lower public transport GHG emissions reflect greater fuel efficiency; urban rail is almost six times more energy efficient than motor cars(Endnote 5). Ambient air pollution caused by motor vehicles is also a major health problem. In 2000, such pollution caused an estimated 2,700 cases of morbidity and an estimated 1,400 cases of premature death. The main causes of death were cardio-vascular problems, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases. The cost of death and disease that can be attributed to motor vehicle pollution was of the order of $2.9 to $3.9 billion in 2000 (Endnote 6). Greater use of public transport, in particular train and light rail (tram), would:
Social Exclusion Large numbers of Australians, in particularly the elderly, the poor and the unemployed, are reliant on public transport for their basic needs (trips for shopping, medical appointments and social interactions). More public transport is also a key element to reducing barriers to employment, especially for the poorly paid and those in outer-metropolitan areas who do not have access to cars. The current lack of adequate public transport facilities in outer-metropolitan areas also means many families having to operate more than one motor vehicle adding to household’s costs of living, road congestion and the resultant environmental and health problems. Cost Recovery State governments spend at least $5 billion a year on public transport but for many different reasons Australia’s public transport systems are barely treading water. Our cities have been designed around private motor vehicle usage resulting in a higher commitment of economic wealth to transport. Low urban density contributes to Australia’s poor cost recovery of public transport systems with revenue ranging from 20 to 34% of operating costs. This is very low by international standards. State government support of public transport services recognises the social and economic benefits they provide to the overall community, not only public transport users. Australia’s public transport systems are currently facing significant social and demographic trends, city design issues, operational and funding issues and policy and governance challenges. Employment trends, changing travel patterns and greater car affordability have resulted in increasing reliance on private vehicles. In recent years, most State governments have recognised the scale of historical under-investment in public transport and have begun to act by committing over $25 billion of additional funding to public transport over the next 15 years. However, it will take a considerable time before the benefits are apparent National Passenger Transport AgendaThe rail industry has developed a National Passenger Transport Agenda to provide a way ahead to significantly improve the effectiveness of Australia’s public transport sector by presenting an integrated and coordinated approach. This offers compelling benefits for the Australian economy, community and environment by:
The National Passenger Transport Agenda draws an urgent, collective and concerted focus on the critical situation of Australia’s public transport. It presents a clear set of actions for Commonwealth, State and Local governments, the business community and public transport operators. For further information about the National Passenger Transport Agenda visit the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) website – www.ara.net.au/publications Endnotes. 1. ‘Sydney is a sprawling, grid-locked, polluted mess. It’s time to fix it’, Sydney Morning Herald, 30 May 2005.
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