Report 1-55 - Inter-regional Public Transport

INTER-REGIONAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTTHE ROLE OF INTER-REGIONAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN REGIONAL NSWregional passengers. The Committee may report on the issues arising from theimplementation of the Country Passenger Rail Services Strategy in asupplementary report.Promotion of inter-regional public transport2.45 A number of inquiry stakeholders suggested that patronage of inter-regionalpublic transport would increase if rail travel was actively promoted as anattractive travel alternative. Increased passenger safety and reducedenvironmental impacts were identified as benefits of rail travel.2.46 The Northern Rivers Social Development Council, for example, stated that in thefirst instance, government should actively promote a cultural shift away from theentrenched notion that the best option for undertaking inter-regional travel iswith private vehicles. The organisation suggested that this could be done, in part,through the use of incentives for using public transport along with disincentivesfor using private vehicles. Providing public transport services that are attractiveto passengers is also important:A cultural shift from car to public transport must be developed in tandem withefficient, flexible, affordable public transport and effective campaigns to promotepublic transport. The use of incentives for public transport, as well as disincentivesfor car travel plays a vital role in cultural change. Public transport must be costeffective, fast and pleasant and presented as an ethical choice. 412.47 Similarly, Goulburn Mulwaree Council stated that the uptake of inter-regionaltransport would be increased if CountryLink more actively promoted the benefitsof rail travel as an attractive alternative to private vehicles and air travel. Publicawareness campaigns and financial incentives, in conjunction with policyinitiatives to encourage urban densification around public transport hubs wouldassist with this shift:CountryLink must educate its potential and current passengers about the benefits ofrail as a viable alternative to road and air travel. This could be achieved througheducation (e.g. public awareness campaigns), financial incentives (e.g. governmentsubsidy of rail) and policy (e.g. urban densification at railway stations). 422.48 Mr Charles Body suggested that effective promotion of rail as a viable interregionalpublic transport alternative would highlight the safety andenvironmental aspects:…I suggest that both CountryLink and the State and Regional DevelopmentCommittee need to promote the benefits of rail over road, particularly for journeysbetween major regional cities and Sydney. These benefits include safety and thesignificant reduction in energy use and emissions. 4341 Submission 49, Northern Rivers Social Development Council, p 1.42 Submission 59, Goulburn Mulwaree Council, p 3.43 Submission 17, Mr Charles Body, p 1.MARCH 2014 17