Department of Transport data reveals full effect of coronavirus on roads, public transport
What most of us already know has been confirmed — our roads are almost as busy as before coronavirus and public transport use is on the rise. And new data also reveals just how much Melbourne slowed down during the height of lockdown.
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Traffic on Melbourne roads dropped by almost 50 per cent, while public transport use fell by almost 90 per cent because of coronavirus restrictions, new data reveals.
But the Department of Transport data also shows things are getting back on track on roads and on trains, buses and trams.
While traffic is still lower than before lockdown started, the easing of restrictions has meant roads are becoming more congested.
Data shows on June 10 about eight million trips were taken on Melbourne’s roads, which was down from about 10 million at the same time last year.
But the June 10 figure shows about 200,000 more trips than the previous Wednesday (June 3), showing Melburnians are eager to get behind the wheel again as cafes and shops reopen.
Usually, Melbourne’s public transport system would have about two million commuters use it a day, but during stage three restrictions that number fell 90 per cent to about 200,000 people.
On June 10, about 535,000 trips were taken on public transport, down from about two million at the same time last year, accounting for a 72 per cent reduction.
But compared with June 3, trips were up 94,000, an 18 per cent increase.
The busiest times of day on public transport at the moment are between 3-4pm and 8-9am.
A Department of Transport spokesman said the lower numbers reflected people’s willingness to stop the spread of the virus by not moving around as much.
“If you are working from home, you must keep working from home — this will help ensure there is room on board our trains, trams and buses for people to put distance between themselves and other passengers,” he said.
“We’re seeing patronage and traffic down across the network — as people are doing the right thing and staying home.”
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Full timetables have run throughout the coronavirus pandemic and will continue so people have choices about when they travel.
The Department of Transport is making sure all public transport is cleaned deeply and regularly and have increased cleaning across the network, with a particular focus on the places passengers spend the most time, including tram and train carriages and buses.