BUS ROUTE TO A STRONGER, GROWING AUSTRALIA

October 30, 2006

A new, cooperative, national approach to public transport and bus services can make a major contribution to meeting the key challenges faced by Australia, according the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC).

BIC executive director Michael Apps says the bus industry – which begins its annual conference in Canberra today - has an opportunity to work with all levels of government in Australia to provide the incentives and infrastructure to get people out of their cars and on to public transport.

“We have already seen high petrol prices convince many people to look for an alternative to the car,” Mr Apps says. “But the benefits to the individual and the country of even a modest switch over to public transport are far greater than many people imagine.”

“Improved public transport must clearly be part of our national response to climate change. But it is also crucial for workforce participation, access to services and providing mobility for our ageing population.”

“Many people do not realise that congestion caused by our over-reliance on the car is costing Australia around $21 billion a year with that figure set to rise to $29.7 billion by 2015.”

“But we also realise that facts alone will not convince people to use public transport. That is why we have been talking to the federal government about a number of initiatives that can be taken at a national level to give Australians a realistic alternative to the car”, says Mr. Apps.

“We have been very encouraged by recent decisions by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) which recognize that a truly national approach is needed meet the challenges facing Australia and make the most of our opportunities as a nation.”

“It is clear that State and Territory Governments will continue to play the lead operational role in providing public transport services. But we will continue to argue that all governments need to work together to maximize the opportunities public transport in general and bus services in particular offer.”

“The great advantage of bus services is that they can be put in place quickly, relatively cheaply and have great flexibility. This is particularly true in outer metropolitan areas and in regional areas where the need is greatest.”

 “A 10% increase in bus patronage which would equate to less than 1% change in motorised trips from cars to buses would result in greenhouse gas emissions being reduced by 409,340 tonnes per year.”

Mr Apps says “the Committee for Melbourne has prepared a comprehensive public transport plan for Melbourne which forecasts the effect of a shift of 3% from the private car to public transport.”

“When we extrapolate these results to all Australian cities, BIC estimates that a 3% shift in motorised travel to public transport will deliver benefits to the Australian community of at least $2.6 billion per annum.”

“We are taking the opportunity at the conference to launch the BIC Policy Statement which provides a range of practical policy initiatives to government that will help solve the problems associated with our over-reliance on the private car.”

“The document provides a précis of BIC’s policy ideas to encourage public transport patronage, develop a public transport culture and provides input into the roles that each level of government has in this process.  A national strategy to tackle the way Australia moves people is overdue and we hope the Federal Government will take a leadership role in its development.”

Australia’s peak national body, the Bus Industry Confederation is holding its annual National Conference in Canberra from the 30^th October to 1^st November with the theme: Moving People – A National Priority

The Conference will be attended by 500 industry leaders from the bus and coach sector and will include key note addresses by the Minister for Transport Mark Vaile and the Shadow Minister for Transport Kerry O’Brien.

BIC will be launching their National Policy Statement at the event.  A comprehensive event program can be found at www.ozebus.com.au

Media Contacts: BIC: Michael Apps – 0418 487 930