The renewal of Melbourne's public transport system

Public transport has experienced declining patronage in Melbourne over the last thirty years, because of increasing car travel. Passenger transport could face liquid fuel shortages within a decade, and alternatives may prove too expensive and/or arrive too late. Public transport is several times more energy efficient than private car transport, as well as being more equitable, more land use efficient, safer and less polluting. Present transport patterns in Melbourne are found to be still largely either concentrated in an inner area, or radially oriented. These trip types could be serviced by the existing rail network, and an extended tramway grid. In order to provide a comprehensive public transport system, buses are needed for the residual trips, chiefly circumferential type trips in the outer areas.