New analysis has revealed traffic across Perth is growing at an alarming rate — more than twelve times faster than forecasts made by Infrastructure Australia last year.
According to the 2019 Australian Infrastructure Audit, traffic across Perth was expected to increase 32 per cent by 2031 — meaning the cost of congestion would more than double to $3.6 billion annually.
But RAC General Manager Corporate Affairs Will Golsby said we’ve seen more than half of this traffic growth this year alone.
“Our analysis shows traffic volumes on Perth’s main roads are currently up to 18 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels — this is a concerning level of growth in such a short timeframe,” Mr Golsby said.
“It’s clear that COVID-19 has had a significant impact on our travel patterns and behaviours, adding further pressure to the cost of congestion in Western Australia.
“While we welcome strong funding in the recent Federal and State Budgets for transport infrastructure, many of the projects are in their early stages of development and will take years to complete.
“Improving our existing services and getting more from the infrastructure we already have will help to address the growing burden on our network.”
State Government figures show public transport patronage has reached nearly 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
“It’s fantastic to see more Western Australians returning to public transport in recent weeks, after usage plummeted earlier this year in response to the pandemic,” Mr Golsby said.
“However there is still enormous opportunity to improve the efficiency and accessibility of these services, through measures such as bus priority, to help move more people, more often.
“We also continue to call for off-peak public transport fare discounts to boost usage, as well as investment in low-cost active transport options to support safe walking and cycling as an alternative transport option.”
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RAC Media Contact: Caitlin Barr, 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au
