Why we're making public transport an important issue
As WA's leading member organisation, the RAC has long represented its members in the area of motoring. But our members don't only drive - they also use public transport, either occasionally or exclusively. It may be to save money on parking, for convenience or as an environmentally friendly alternative.
In WA we use public transport to get us to work, school, leisure activities and big events. While we are lucky to have a world class system, there are still many reasons why private car travel may be more attractive than catching the bus or train.
Commuters who don't regularly use bus and train services may be unfamiliar with time tables, stops and connections. Or they may be unaware of public transport routes near their home.
In conjunction with our media partners the Community Newspaper Group and Channel 7, the RAC has recently conducted a survey of our members as to how they rate our public transport system. This survey has now been completed and we are now busily compiling the results. They will be used to highlight areas of the public transport network that could do with improvement, but also to say to the government there are some things that travellers really like about public transport including the positive affect it has on the environment.
With over 1500 respondents completing the survey we found that:
- 47% of those surveyed thought that overall the public transport system was excellent or good.
- 55% of respondents used public transport daily or on most days and overwhelmingly for work purposes.
- Of the 77% of bus users who cited difficulties or concerns on the bus, the biggest concern was the frequency of buses followed by poor connections, reliability, overcrowding and conditions on the bus.
- Overall, 68% of train users said they had difficulties or concerns with their most frequented train service. The most cited difficulty was overcrowding on trains, followed by lack of parking, service not frequent enough, personal safety concerns and service being unreliable.
Using these results we have recommended to government that:
- More trains be obtained to alleviate congestion.
- Bus routes be examined to ensure peak efficiency especially with connections to train services.
- Parking upgrades planned for selected stations on the Armadale and Joondalup lines be completed.
- Car parking allocation and the efficiency of buses feeding into the Mandurah line be investigated and changes implemented.
- That a security and safety audit of all train lines is conducted, especially with regard to the Armadale and Midland lines.
The RAC will soon, on behalf of members and the wider public, present its report to the government and work closely with them to ensure that public transport in Perth is efficient and accessible for all users.
You can download a copy of the report here:
RAC Public Transport Survey Report 2008 (pdf)
Safety
Your safety is important when travelling on public transport. The level of security on trains and buses has advanced over the years, but if you're someone who regularly walks home from a station or bus stop in the dark, you may disagree.
Based on the results of this survey, the RAC will work with the Public Transport Authority to increase passive crime prevention techniques, such as better lighting on platforms and around car parks. We will also work with local governments to improve perceived safety around train stations and bus interchanges.
More information on community safety.
Travelsmart
Travelsmart is a very successful WA programme which is designed to encourage motorists to find alternative forms of transport. This could mean walking, cycling and catching public transport. Through partnerships with local governments, information is provided to Perth households on ways in which they can Travelsmart. There is also a workplace initiative to encourage businesses to get their staff involved.
More information on how you can Travelsmart in your area.
Transperth
Transperth is the provider of public transport in Perth and has all the information you need to catch buses, trains and ferries around Perth. It includes timetables and even has a journey planner which provides specific details on how to get from A to B. For more information visit Transperth.