Melbourne City Council flags monthly transport subscription to help combat growing congestion

IMAGINE not having to fork out a small fortune on petrol, car registration and insurance. Experts say this radical bid to beat our congestion woes will make such a dream a reality by helping you “avoid having to have ownership of a vehicle”.

A CONGESTION-busting idea flagged by the city council would allow Melburnians to commute on public transport, taxis and rideshare services for a monthly subscription fee.

The initiative is already being tried by Finland in its capital Helsinki, and Britain and the Netherlands are also due to test their own versions.

Melbourne City Council, which is preparing for the population to swell to 8 million by 2050, fears technological advances such as driverless cars could worsen congestion.

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The suggestion would allow commuters to choose from “multi-mode” bundles allowing a set amount of travel per month, under deals much like contracts for mobile phones.

Commuters would use a mobile phone application to select a destination and would be advised how best to get there. Alternatives would be offered, differing in travel time, prices, and form of transport.

A suggested trip might mix public transport, taxis, and car-and bike-sharing. It might show the nearest hire bike, to cycle to a station for a train, followed by a rideshare service.

Selecting a journey would result in any necessary bookings, and checks on whether public transport is on time.

Travellers can pay as they go or agree to a monthly plan.

web Future Travel 650 366

In Finland, subscriptions start at the equivalent of $78 a month, up to $790 for unlimited public transport travel, taxi rides, car hire and bike share.

Council’s transport portfolio chairman, Cr Nicolas Frances Gilley, told the Herald Sun: “We need to harness the possibility of new technology while remaining a city which works for people.

“New and emerging technologies provide both opportunities and challenges for our future city,.”

Monash University’s professor Graham Currie said such an idea could “make it easier for people to access services and to make good choices. And it will also help them avoid having to have ownership of a vehicle, which is a bit of a burden for people,” he said.

“It’s a great new hope if you like. It’s a good idea for Melbourne City Council to try this out because it is a modern new way of doing things — and it’s time we were in the game.”

In a discussion paper out on Wednesday, the council warns driverless cars could worsen congestion — unless they are used for car-sharing and car-pooling — as people like the elderly and children who currently use public transport instead turn to private autonomous cars.

Experts say congestion in Melbourne could get worse with developments such as driverless cars. Artist: Elena Strelnikova

An artist’s impression of how transport improvements such as wider footpaths and better cycling paths could change the face of Melbourne, here at Collins St towards Docklands at Swanston St. Artist: Elena Strelnikova

Empty driverless vehicles would then circle the streets instead of parking or drive home empty — adding to city traffic.

“If people choose to abandon public transport to get to work in a driverless car, which then circulates the city empty, our problems with congestion will only get worse,’’ Cr Frances Gilley said.

“This has already been seen with the emergence of rideshare technology.

“In New York, half of all rideshare trips are new journeys or would previously have been made by public transport, walking or cycling.”

A fee on empty driverless cars is being suggested.

The paper also flags trialling small driverless delivery vehicles in the CBD as well as testing airborne parcel drones and delivery robots.

Melbourne City Council is hosting a future transport exhibition at Carlton daily until Sunday.

A public transport survey is available via participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/transportstrategy.

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