The Tourism and Transport Forum will release a report today by LEK consulting that claims Australian Governments will need to spend $20 Billion per year on new transport projects over the next decade to accommodate Australia’s growing demand.
TTF’s report also recommends peak-hour congestion charging for road users and revocation of concession fares for seniors who can afford to pay full price, according to the SMH.
TTF chief executive Chris Brown will launch the report today, which also recommends only allowing concession fares during off peak periods to help shift demand, according to ABC online.
“You can’t sustain a system where concession pensioner rates are clogging up peak-hour transport,” Mr Brown is reported to have said.
The Tourism and Transport Forum report also goes on to outline strategies for Governments to raise funds from public transport that aren’t directly related to passenger fares. According to the SMH, suggestions raised in the TTF report include developing the “land and airspace” around public transport infrastructure, including developing retail and more efficiently leveraging advertising opportunities.
Significant development of public transport is needed if it is ever to become the dominant mode of transport in Australian cities. In June the Sydney Business Chamber released a report that confirmed the city is still entirely car-dependent, with 53 percent choosing their car as their primary mode of transport to work compared to 25 percent who catch the train and 12 percent who catch the bus.
