Public transport



Working paper

Distributional effects of urban transport policies to discourage car use: a literature review

This paper takes stock of scientific findings to date regarding the distributional effects of policies discouraging car use in urban areas. These policies include cordon tolls, distance-based charges, fuel taxes, parking measures and public transport subsidies.
Report

Are we there yet? Clean transport scorecard for Australian states and territories

This report argues that policies and investments that reduce transport emissions can be put in place now using existing technologies. This makes reducing emissions in the transport sector quickly this decade much easier than is the case for some other sectors of the economy, where...
Discussion paper

National electric vehicle strategy: consultation paper

This consultation paper has been released to solicit public feedback, as part of the development of Australia's national electric vehicle strategy. The new strategy will guide governments, industry and investors to design and deliver measures to electrify the road transport sector.
Survey

People and transport national poll 2022: results

This poll of over 2000 Australians reveals that eight in ten people believe governments should invest more in public transport, with seven in ten keen to see Australia’s entire bus fleet electrified and run on renewables as soon as possible.
Report

The Suburban Rail Loop: not needed, not fit for purpose and a debt bomb

This report examines the merits of the Victorian government's decision to invest in the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) project, as part of their overall 'Big Build' infrastructure policy.
Report

Where next? Uncertainty in transport's path to net zero

To understand the key drivers of the uncertainty on the path to net zero, the authors of this report spoke to a diverse mix of people working across the transport and energy sectors with an interest in reducing emissions from everyday journeys. This briefing is...
Report

Next stop: zero emissions buses by 2030

The authors of this paper argue that in order to reduce rising transport emissions, policies to support the electrification of public transport bus fleets by 2030 should be prioritised.
Strategy

FACTS: Framework for an Australian Clean Transport Strategy

This strategy document has been developed by 18 clean transport and energy experts to enable and boost cooperative action across federal, state/territory, and local governments, together with industry, to support the decarbonisation of Australia’s transport sector.
Conference paper

$35 billion is a lot for a subway that won’t really improve accessibility all that much

Compared to Melbourne's current the Suburban Rail Loop project, this paper argues that much more service, and thus accessibility, could be provided for a given budget through surface upgrade options. To test this assumption, the paper uses an ‘Alternative Network’ structure using a conservative but...
Conference paper

Melbourne 2050: scenario planning for 20-minute neighbourhoods

The literature lacks a methodological framework to guide the selection of location and design characteristics of a 20-minute neighbourhood. The present study intends to fill this gap by developing neighbourhood typologies and performing a scenario-based approach to identify the types of 20-minute neighbourhoods that can...
Report

Roundabouts, overpasses, and carparks: hauling the federal government back to its proper role in transport projects

Politicians are not supposed to spend public money to promote their private interest, including their private political advantage. This paper argues that avoiding such conflicts of interest would be more straightforward if the federal government stuck to its national role, and did its due diligence...
Policy report

Orange Book 2022: policy priorities for the federal government

Building on research and analysis published by Grattan Institute since it was founded 13 years ago, this report identifies reforms to boost incomes, improve health and education, create better transport links, make housing more affordable, generate meaningful progress on climate change, and strengthen Australia’s political...
Report

Public transport pricing: research paper

This report finds that public transport costs were outpacing fare revenue for most jurisdictions in Australia, even before the funding crisis precipitated by the COVID‑19 pandemic. It warns against setting free or lower fares to increase patronage.
Briefing paper

Cycling amongst Māori: patterns, influences, and opportunities

This research describes Māori cycling patterns and explores enablers and barriers for cycling amongst Māori.
Report

Integrated transport planning

The objective of this audit was to assess if the Victorian Department of Transport is demonstrably integrating its transport planning.
Report

Innovative responses to urban transportation: current practice in Australian cities

This research explores how Australian urban transport programs and policies are responding to changes in transport technology, travel patterns, environmental imperatives and spatial development dynamics in order to offer guidance about future directions and options, and seeks to identify potential policy directions for Australia’s cities...
Report

All aboard: a plan for fairly decarbonising how people travel

This report outlines a vision for a transport system that is fair to all, works to improve people’s health and wellbeing, and provides a better environment for nature.
Strategy

Victoria's zero emissions vehicle roadmap

This strategy document is all about leading the market – by replacing the Victorian government’s car fleet with zero emissions vehicles, as well as accelerating the transition to zero emissions public transport buses.
Working paper

Insights into working from home in Australia in 2020: positives, negatives and the potential for future benefits to transport and society

In this working paper, the authors argue that while COVID‐19 has been a crippling event, working from home has the potential to be an unintended positive consequence of the widespread disruption. There are benefits to the individual employee, to employers and businesses, and to the...
Policy report

How governments use evidence to make transport policy

This report looks at how the United Kingdom (UK) and comparable countries use evidence in designing transport policy, and offers recommendations for how the UK can make better policy in future.
Policy report

Government policy statement on land transport

Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS) is reviewed every three years and guides investment in transport by providing a 10-year outlook of how spending will be prioritised in the land transport network. The GPS 2021 builds on the strategic direction of GPS 2018 by...
Strategy

ACT Transport strategy 2020

This document sets out the ACT Government’s approach to achieving flexible, reliable and sustainable transport options for Canberrans. It provides a framework for planning and investment in transport for the next 20 years.
Report

Reforming public transport planning and delivery

This report examines the difference in which public transport planning is undertaken and services are delivered. The report focuses primarily on urban public transport markets, with some consideration given to intercity markets.
Guide

Guidelines: Equivalent access under the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Cth)

These guidelines have been developed by the Australian Human Rights Commission to provide clear and practical assistance to facilitate compliance with the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Cth) (the Transport Standards) through the use of equivalent access.
Literature review

Talking about transport modality shift: a literature review

This literature review was written to inform a message guide for technical experts, communicators and advocates working to deliver urban mobility solutions that grow the share of travel by public transport, walking and cycling. Its purpose is to help us use more effective strategies to...