Policy Thinkers Series > Moving People

Moving People > from Workhorse to Thoroughbred: Review of bus rapid transit and branded bus service performance in Australia and future opportunities A major public policy debate has surrounded the relative success of bus priority and branding measures as compared with generic route services in attracting patronage. In this paper, a gross performance ratio is presented, to quantify the success for each of 7 Bus Rapid Transit and 20 Branded Bus Service systems as compared with regular route buses across six Australian capital cities. The paper identifies the distinctive locational characteristics of various bus priority and brand identity initiatives as

This Paper explores socio-economic trends and their interaction with new technologies, largely by developing optimistic and pessimistic scenarios about how the future of land passenger transport might emerge in coming years.Policy measures to help ensure that emerging transport technologies are net contributors to social welfare are outlined, including transport pricing reform, urban land use/transport planning to promote more compact towns and cities and to slow urban sprawl, together with shared mobility contracts to support social inclusion from local transport. Download Policy Paper 11 Download

Mobility is a fundamental requirement for well-functioning regions and for the wellbeing of their residents (and visitors). This Paper first examines the potential for agglomerationeconomies from mobility improvements in Australian regions, concluding that this prospect is most likely to be relevant for those regions with the largest urban centres (e.g. 200,000 population). Download Policy Paper 10 Download

Australian cities are increasingly pursuing compact settlement. This paper explores the opportunities to use urban structure to promote productivity growth. It examines the contribution of population and employment density and travel times. Download Policy Paper 9 Download

This Policy Paper examines ways in which local government can support the major development directions and, based on the conclusions from the governance Policy Paper 6, be recognised as a vital partner in so doing. In this Paper we examine desirable development directions for our cities and regions, then explore local government roles in these directions, at both the strategic and local levels. Download Policy Paper 8 Download

The bus and coach industry has, for a long time, fostered relationships with academics, industry experts and government, to grow public transport services and patronage and to help develop contractual frameworks that support this growth. These connections and experience have been utilised in preparing the enclosed guidelines. These guidelines have been framed with public value uppermost in mind, while recognising the importance of a financially viable bus industry if quality bus services are to be provided on a sustainable basis for our communities. Download Policy Paper 7 Download

Australia is relatively unusual in having state governments responsible for (speaking for) capital cities. This role is more commonly associated with local government in some format. The difficulties Australian cities have in establishing and pursuing integrated strategic land use transport policy directions over time is partly a function of our adversarial political environment. This Paper looks at governance, with a particular focus on integrated governance in land use transport policy and planning and how it might be improved in Australian cities, to enable them to deliver better economic, social and environmental outcomes. Download Policy Paper 6 Download

Australia’s capital cities are all seeking to achieve more compact settlement patterns, as an essential element for improving their long term sustainability. The inner/middle suburbs are vital to successful outcomes. This is where most urban Australians live and work. This paper examines how strategic land use transport policy in our major cities can be shaped to promote productivity growth and better share the benefits from this productivity growth more widely among city residents.   Download Policy Paper 5 Download

A ‘20 minute city’ is one in which most people are able to undertake most activities needed for a good life within a 20 minute walk, cycle or public transport trip from where they live. This Policy Paper puts forward that a neighbourhood structure embedded in a 20 minute city, with good local and regional transport choices, is likely to promote many positive outcomes in terms of personal and societal wellbeing, enhance liveability (which is already a strong international brand for our cities), as well as being cost effective to service and supportive of increased economic productivity. Flowon effects will

BIC’s various Moving People publications have made the case for increasing the provision of public transport services in Australia’s cities, both because of the benefits these deliver for service users but also, and perhaps more importantly, for the wider nationally significant economic, social and environmental benefits they deliver. A current Australian infrastructure backlog of about $150b had been estimated. Public transport forms an important part of this backlog. Download Policy Paper 3 Download