Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2009

Subject Area

Location - Place-based disadvantage, Location - Spatial exclusion, Location - Urban planning, Modes of Transport - Bus, Public transport - Service frequency, Social Issues - Social exclusion, Transport accessibility - Access to services, Transport policy - Transport disadvantage

Abstract

Access to adequate transport services is an important factor that contributes to social inclusion and well-being by allowing other needs to be met such as access to healthcare, education, employment, housing, and community services. This work follows in the wake of previous studies undertaken in Australia, primarily in capital cities, which have investigated the associations between access to public transport, the level of car ownership, household income, and social inequity (Currie 2009a, Currie 2009b, Currie et al. 2009). A regional city of growing population and strong dependence on motor vehicles was chosen as the focus area of this study. GIS was used to investigate the association of “Forced Car Ownership” (FCO) with residential location, the level of bus service provision, and statistical indexes of social disadvantage. Generally, it was found that the level of bus service supply decreased with increasing outer residential location, as did walk-accessibility although almost all residential areas were within 400m walk access to a bus service. Motor vehicle usage increased with distance from the city centre. FCO occurred in most residential areas irrespective of the level of bus service, residential location, or socio-economic level of advantage. Other factors such as travel destination, travel times, and hours of public transport provision may also contribute to FCO and low public transport usage and are worthy of further investigation.