A recent survey showed the average trip to work in Sydney was 62 minutes – or more twice the ideal time. And that commute costs an average of $22, equal with Hobart as the dearest cities in Australia.
The Real Australian Commute Report said the average Australian travelled 33km at 54 minutes, paying $20 for the privilege,
And they sped $4003 per year on average, or $43B getting from point A to point B.
‘That’s a lot of money and with rising financial concerns and a potential recession, times are tough on the buses, trains and ‘freeways,” the report said.
Most of the 5000 commuters surveyed at 85% believed that Governments could do more to ease the cost of their daily commute.
The report found 83% of commuters agree the trip to work has never felt as expensive as now and 47% said the growing cost had placed considerable financial pressure on their household.
When it comes to travelling on public transport, bad behavior is another major problem for our embattled commuters.
Three quarters of commuters believe that commuters with bad manners should be fined or banned from public transport.
Life on the roads isn’t much better with Western Sydney roads clogged to a standstill during commuting periods. A survey of drivers showed 91% of drivers surveyed should have better knowledge of road rules.
And 85% believe drivers are not courteous or safe.
The pandemic also made a big difference with 59% of former fulltime commuters having changed their mind on how much they were willing to spend in time and money going to work.
Going green and saving the environment is also spruiked by civic planners, but commuters have a far more pragmatic view.
The research showed low running costs at 42% and good performance 39% were far more important than environmental friendliness at 21% when buying a new vehicle.
This could explain why the last State Government’s push for electric vehicles fell flat with voters at the recent election. Just 10% of commuters have bought an environment friendly car.
Surprisingly, of those who are considering buying an environment friendly car, men at 60% are far more interested than women at 46%.
But statistics show that this will change with Gen Z at 46% most likely to go hybrid or electric followed by Gen Y at 45%, Gen X 39% and Boomers 35%.
And finally, the best major city for commuters is Darwin. They average 36 minutes, spend $12 and travel 26km. Brisbane commuters travel 33km over 59 minutes costing just $19.
Melbourne with its vast tram network, costs $21, takes 57 minutes and the average commute is 30km.
