Sydney’s outer ring residents forced to pay more for tolls, fuel and parking
SYDNEY’S outer suburbs are being left behind in the public transport stakes, with one million-plus residents living more than 15 minutes’ walk from a bus or train.
NSW
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SYDNEY’S outer suburbs are being left behind in the public transport stakes, with one million-plus residents living more than 15 minutes’ walk from a bus or train.
A new report into public transport says almost a quarter of residents in suburbs stretching in a vast arc from Sutherland, Liverpool and Castle Hill travel more than 30km to work.
This compares to just 3 per cent of inner-city residents travelling that far.
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Despite half the population of Australia’s five largest cities living in outer suburbs, governments have neglected the needs of their booming populations, the Outer Urban Public Transport report says.
As a result, families are paying more to run cars and have less to spend on other household expenses, the research by Infrastructure Australia found.
Drivers from the outskirts of Sydney pay an average $84 a week in tolls, fuel and parking compared with inner-city residents who spent $65 and middle-ring residents in areas such as Hurstville, Parramatta and Macquarie Park paying $73.
A total of 40 per cent of outer suburban residents are not within 15 minutes’ walking distance of frequent public transport services.
Infrastructure Australia spokesman Peter Colacino said while the costs of housing might be cheaper in outer suburbs, the poorer services hindered residents’ ability to get good jobs and education.
“While existing transport infrastructure serves inner-city areas well, people living on the outskirts of our major cities are being disadvantaged by a lack of access to frequent public transport services,” he said.
“This impacts their ability to access jobs, education and other opportunities to get ahead.”
The report recommends developing more “on-demand” buses and encouraging more ride-sharing.
Western Sydney Business Chamber director David Borger said more jobs should be created where people live.
“Mass public transport is expensive and takes a long time to deliver,” he said.
“The focus of government must be to use emerging technology such as on-demand buses and ride share to give commuters in the outer suburbs more options than just jumping in their cars and joining the car parks on our motorways.
“No one wants to spend hours in a car or on a train in order to access their job.”
Mr Borger said smart phones, apps and real time information on public transport were giving operators the data they need to match transport services to demand.