Title

Transport and mobility: challenges, innovations and improvements

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2006

Subject Area

Modes of Transport - Car - Driving, Modes of Transport - Taxi, Population - Education, Population - Retired drivers

Abstract

Good transport and mobility allows people to access essential services, to participate in social and recreational activities and to have some level of engagement with their community. This report presents the findings of RACV research into mobility services in Victoria. Based on this research, the report develops proposals for a long-term approach for improving mobility services for people who are unable to drive in Victoria. RACV conducted several investigations in preparing this report. These included a survey of retired drivers, a survey of Local government about what transport services they provide, and consultations with a range of transport operators and stakeholders. A review of interstate and international practices was alos undertaken in order to determine whether there were aspects of mobility services used in other jurisdictions that should be replicated in Victoria. The findings of the Victorian research showed that on the whole the current services for people who are unable to drive are not meeting the needs of the community. When comparing Victoria's mobility services with some of the best practice international approaches, it is evident that Victoria does not have a mobility system, but a fragmented approach that involves small funding grants for discrete programs that operate in isolation from each other. The report outlines several key recommendations to improve the level of mobility and access to services for Victorians who cannot drive. It recommends that the Victorian Government needs to become more proactive in the area of mobility, and commit to developing a more effective and integrated mobility system.