Seven myths about public transport

Seven myths about public transport

Myth 1: Melbourne, like other Australian capitals but unlike most European cities, is a low-density city, and public transport does not work in low-density cities.

Fact: There are many cities with densities similar to or lower than Melbourne's where public transport works much better — for example, Toronto, Washington, Brisbane.

Myth 2: Public transport is viable only for trips to the central activities/business district. As jobs and shops are moving to the suburbs, the role of public transport will continue to decline.

Fact: Public transport can serve other destinations; the suburban office developments in North Sydney attract a higher public transport share than Melbourne's central activities district.

Myth 3: As most people have access to cars, they won't use public transport.

Fact: High car ownership simply means that public transport must offer first-class service to attract patrons. When it offers this sort of service, it gets the patrons (car ownership in Toronto is higher than here).

Myth 4: Our public transport network is too small: people will only use an extensive system of underground rail lines, like the Paris Metro or the London Underground.

Fact: Melbourne has the most extensive train and tram network of any city of 3 million people in the world; what must be done is to make them work better.

Myth 5: Our radial rail system is out of date: most travel these days is across suburbs.

Fact: The last census showed that most long-distance travel (by car or public transport) in Melbourne is focussed along radial corridors: radial trips outnumber circumferential trips four to one.

Myth 6: Our roads are not very congested, so there is no incentive to use public transport.

Fact: Traffic congestion in Melbourne is increasing every year: average speeds on main roads fell by up to 10% during the mid-1980s. Parking is becoming increasingly hard to find in inner suburbs and district centres.

Myth 7: We cannot afford better public transport because the budget deficit will blow out.

Fact: Better public transport will lower the deficit, because higher patronage will mean a less wasteful use of resources and the network.

[Taken from Greening Melbourne with Public Transport, by the Public Transport Users Association. Available for $9.95 (less for m PTUA, PO Box 324 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000 or Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. Telephone: (03) 650 7898.]

From GLW issue 22