This paper provides the results of a study into rural transport disadvantage. The main aims of the study were to, identify the nature and extent of transport disadvantage in rural areas and develop potential strategies to overcome transport disadvantages. The methodology consisted of two parts. First, a survey designed to provide comparative information on transport usage and patterns in urban and rural areas. The second part of the study was a series of community consultation workshops held in major centres throughout New South Wales. The results of the survey revealed that in most rural areas there is very heavy reliance on the private motor vehicle, and only limited availability and usage of public and usage of public transport. On average, people in rural areas live much further away from public transport, and have to travel greater distances to all major services apart from employment. The community consultation workshops identified a number of causes of transport disadvantage in rural areas. Among these were: lack of funding, particularly for community transport; inequitable subsidy arrangements; inappropriate regulations and standards; lack of knowledge of local and regional transport issues amongst transport agencies; and poor provision of information about transport services and availability. (A)
Abstract