Train, tram and bus passenger trips in Victoria have significantly decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic and flexible working arrangements. Melbourne's weekend bus services, however, have seen an increase in passenger numbers. Traffic congestion on the state's road network is also a growing concern.
Victorians have ditched their mykis for their car keys , with the COVID-19 years and flexible working leaving a permanent dent in public transport use. Train , tram and bus passenger trips plunged to 40.9 million in October 2023, recently released government data shows, down 12.9 million trips – or 24 per cent – since the same month in 2019. Melbourne ’s weekend bus services have bucked the trend of lower passenger numbers since the pandemic.
Meanwhile, traffic on the state’s road network in November was just 3 per cent below 2019 levels, sparking warnings that Melbourne is losing the battle with congestion. There was, however, one unlikely bright spot for the public transport usage – with Melbourne’s patchy Sunday bus services now attracting more passengers than ever. Graham Currie, chair of public transport at Monash University, said his team’s research was showing Melburnians had replaced journeys they used to make on public transport with car trips. “Traffic congestion is certainly a result,” he sai
Victorians Public Transport Car Keys COVID-19 Train Tram Bus Passenger Trips Melbourne Weekend Bus Services Traffic Congestion
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