TravelSmart household program - helping to save WA's environment

12/9/03
Latest research shows TravelSmart Marangaroo has resulted in changes that will deliver a reduction of more than a quarter of a million car trips each year in that suburb.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan has also revealed that nearly three-quarters of 17,000 Fremantle residents contacted by the TravelSmart program are participating in the State Government initiative.
"Early results show a 15 per cent increase in bus usage for the area," Ms MacTiernan said.
"The TravelSmart household program encourages people to modify their travel patterns to include less car travel and more use of public transport, cycling and walking.
"All up, the Perth TravelSmart program will prevent about 36,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases from polluting the atmosphere each year.
"Stage 2 of TravelSmart will be completed in 2005, by which time it is estimated that it will be reducing car travel in Perth by 120 million kilometres each year.
"That is 8,000 fewer cars on Perth's roads each day, with an annual saving to motorists of $20million in car running costs, or $400 for each household participating in TravelSmart.
"A survey of 8,000 Perth residents carried out as part of the Dialogue with the City project showed that nearly 90 per cent thought it was important to reduce dependency on cars for environmental reasons.
"The TravelSmart program has attracted world-wide attention and been adopted in the United Kingdom, mainland Europe and the USA as well as other Australian States, with car-as-driver trips falling by around 10 per cent in some cities."
Ms MacTiernan said TravelSmart had proved its worth in suburbs across Perth with outstanding results in increased public transport use and less car travel.
In the western suburbs from City Beach to Leederville public transport trips had increased by 24 per cent, cycle trips by a massive 67 per cent and walking by 11 per cent.
Car-as-driver journeys fell by seven per cent and distances travelled by car by nine per cent.
"These changes are being sustained and we are also seeing good results in other suburbs such as Marangaroo and Subiaco," Ms MacTiernan said.
The Minister said research showed that TravelSmart was often a more cost-effective answer to reducing traffic congestion than building new roads. For every dollar invested in the program there were savings to the community of $30.
"The State Government has committed funding to TravelSmart to at least 2005 with programs to come in Armadale, Belmont, Gosnells, Thornlie and the Town of Vincent," Ms MacTiernan said.
"TravelSmart will play an important role in Western Australia's Transport Energy Strategy and Sustainable Transport Energy Program and complements the Australian Greenhouse Office's Cool Communities program."

Minister's office: 9213 6400