BusinessWise congestion survey results
Congestion in Perth is getting worse and is increasing business costs each year, according to a survey of the RAC’s BusinessWise customers. A total of 243 businesses across Perth completed the survey, with 70 per cent of respondents believing that congestion had worsened in the City over the last 12 months.
Respondents to the survey listed a range of impacts that congestion has on their business, including:
- Half of respondents said there was a reduction in overall productivity in their business
- Seven in ten businesses said it was adding to their annual fuel bill
- Four in ten businesses said it impacted staff punctuality
- Two in 10 businesses said they were unable to take on more work because of local gridlock.
Nearly half of businesses surveyed (47 per cent) said they had changed the way their business runs as a result of congestion with 47 per cent changing shift times for staff to start late and finish earlier. Almost one third had rescheduled job times because of congestion.
Of more concern to businesses was the government’s long term plan to tackle the growing issue of congestion in WA. Fifty-six per cent of respondents said they had no confidence at all in the Government having adequate plans to tackle congestion with only one per cent saying they were very confident.
RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown said that Perth’s rapidly expanding economy and burgeoning populating meant the situation was only going to get worse unless the Government acted.
“The survey results paint a bleak picture of congestion in our City.” Mr Brown said.
“We need a long term strategy and significant investment if we are to deal with congestion in Perth before we end up with the gridlock which is associated with cities in the Eastern States.
Where Perth businesses slow down:
1. Tonkin Highway, Leach Highway, Horrie Miller Drive
2. Kwinana Freeway, Leach Highway
3. Graeme Farmer Freeway, East Parade
4. Mitchell Freeway, Hutton Street
5. Mitchell Freeway, Hepburn Avenue
6. Wellington Street, William Street
7. Nicholson Road, Bannister Road
8. Kwinana Freeway, Beeliar Drive
9. Reid Highway, Malaga Drive
10. Great Eastern Highway, Roe Highway
More survey responses