Calls to overhaul Tassie’s public transport system to connect job hunters

The state’s inadequate public transport system is a barrier to young people and people with disability getting a job, a leading academic says as she calls for upgrades to the system. HAVE YOUR SAY >>

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The state’s inadequate public transport system is a barrier to young people and people with disability getting a job, a leading academic says.

Dr Lisa Stafford says the conversation needs to shift from traffic congestion to building a more inclusive and sustainable transport system.

“This must include accessible, available, affordable and safe public transport for all Tasmanians,” Dr Stafford said.

Academic Dr Lisa Stafford

“Public transport is an essential service, a basic need for all citizens in modern society, and critically important for social, education and economic opportunities and development.

“However, to realise this we must invest now to ensure a system that works for all people and all ages.”

Dr Stafford, who works for UTAS, Anglicare Tasmania and also heads a major Australia Research Council funded project Planning Inclusive Communities, will take part in CityTalks, an online panel discussing Hobart’s future transport on Thursday night.

She said that currently, the public transport system in Tasmania, was “stressed.”

“Many outer suburbs, urban-rural fringe and rural areas have limited or no public transport service as well as inadequate infrastructure including inaccessible unsafe bus stops, and distances too far to get to a bus stop,” Dr Stafford said.

“For example, I cannot get a bus after 6.30pm at night from Hobart to Dodges Ferry, so that means I must catch a wheelchair accessible taxi (as I use a power wheelchair) which costs over $110 a trip one way to my home.

“This is not affordable and has wider implications for not just people with disabilities, but also casual workers and young people who often work outside business hours.”

According to the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics, in comparison to other Australia capital cities and territories Hobart has the least dwellings with access to public transport -13.5 per cent.

Academic Dr Lisa Stafford

Launceston has only 5 per cent of dwellings with access to public transport — the lowest performing of all Australian cities according to the bureau’s 2019 national cities performance framework data.

Dr Stafford said involuntary transport disadvantage (ITD) was of particular concern given Tasmania’s significant unaffordable housing and unemployment problems.

“ITD is experienced when there is no or limited public transport where you live to access everyday services and participate in economic, education and social activities; and no way to mitigate this without adverse consequences, such as financial stress and safety risk etc,” she said.

“Currently, one in six people with a disability in Australia reported having difficulty using public transport.

“Our research on seamless journey to work, identified transport disadvantage as a significant barrier to employment for young adults in regional areas of Australia with disabilities.

“So, if you’re a young person with disability with no access to a car, and the buses are not available, not accessible, or infrequent, how do you get to your job?

“It’s a barrier for young people in getting and keeping work.”

Safety was also a significant concern for young people.

Dr Stafford said young people felt unsafe getting to the bus stop, waiting at the bus, and travelling on the bus.

“Public transport is an essential service; it should not matter where you live and who you are, you should be able to access it.

“A more extensive equitable system is possible and starts with an integrated planning and design approach based on inclusive and sustainability principles and processes with all levels of government and providers working with people and communities.

“Tasmania had a good public transport system in the past and can have a great inclusive sustainable public transport once more - there is the know-how, resolve and innovation here to make it happen for all Tasmanians.”