Nearly 60 per cent of Perth residents say they would catch public transport more often, if the network was better connected.
The RAC survey polled 712 Western Australians, who also identified a need for more frequent and better coverage of local bus services.
Fifty-nine per cent of Perth-based respondents said they’d be more likely to use public transport if the network was better connected to activity centres and destinations outside the CBD.
Just over half of the survey’s respondents said they’d be more likely to use a bus or train if stops were within walking distance of more destinations.
RAC General Manager External Relations Will Golsby said while public transport uptake had increased with more links to the outer suburbs, further action is required.
“The WA Government has taken important steps to expand the public transport network, lower the cost for commuters, and make public transport more accessible – however there is still more to be done,” Mr Golsby said.
“Only 17 per cent of members use public transport at least once a week and this survey shows further improvements to areas like connectivity and frequency could encourage even more people to use public transport.”
“Whether you’re living in Perth or regional WA, we should all have access to safe, reliable and affordable public transport that caters for people with different needs.”
Fifty per cent of respondents said they’d use services more if buses and walking and cycle paths were better connected to train stations.
The survey also revealed more than forty per cent would use public transport more often if buses were given greater priority, with changes like dedicated bus lanes and queue jumping at traffic lights.
“Buses perform a critical role in moving people around our state. Measures to improve their frequency and reliability will go a long way to increasing their popularity,” Mr Golsby said.
ENDS
Media contact: Laura Gardiner, 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au
