Transport study derails thinking on outer suburbs

[Jonno]

http://rapsonline.ca/2011/03/02/transport-study-derails-thinking-on-outer-suburbs/

TRANSIT CAN WORK IN THE OUTER SUBURBS
The following article is from theage.com.au. Living in Toronto we already know that lower density areas can have amazing transit service, as is seen in Toronto's inner suburbs, and even in some outer suburban areas.

Transport study derails thinking on outer suburbs
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/transport-study-derails-thinking-on-outer-suburbs-20110104-19f3c.html

Andrew West
January 5, 2011

RESIDENTS in the outer suburbs should not have to wait for higher housing densities before getting better public transport, according to research that could defuse one of the most bitter controversies in urban planning.

In a paper for the journal Australian Planner, Dr John Stone, of the University of Melbourne, and Dr Paul Mees, of RMIT University, argue that many city dwellers have been presented with a false choice – live in apartments and enjoy good public transport or retain the house and land and rely on cars.

"Many planners, and other commentators on urban issues, appear to believe that getting significantly more people on public transport will not be possible until massive changes in suburban densities are achieved," they write.

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"The evidence challenges this view."

Their study – which is part of a collection being prepared for the Council of Australian Governments on the dangers of relying on diminishing supplies of oil – finds that cities with densities comparable with Melbourne and Sydney, such as Toronto, Ottawa and greater New York, have better public transport than Australia's two biggest cities.

While greater New York, not just the skyscraper-dominated Manhattan, has 20.5 people to the hectare, Sydney has 20.4 people.

Melbourne, with 15.7 people to the hectare, has only slightly lower density than Ottawa, with 17.2 people.

Their research compares public transport in similar North American cities, and some European cities, such as suburban Zurich in Switzerland, but not in the extremely dense cities of Asia, such as Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Dr Mees said higher densities did not always mean better mass transit, citing the relatively low rail and bus use in Los Angeles, even though it is the most densely populated city in the United States.

"There is no doubt that a compact and connected urban form enhances the potential for oil-free mobility through walking, cycling, and greater public transport use," the authors write.

"However, we ... argue that it is not necessary to intensify land-use across the whole city before significant improvement in both patronage and economic efficiency of public transport becomes possible."

The keys to increasing public transport use in outer suburbs are more frequent buses, running at least every 10-15 minutes, and not just in peak hour; better co-ordination with rail services; more convenient transfers; and fares that allow free transfers between modes.

The authors argue that most residents of Australian cities "will continue to live in houses and suburban subdivisions that are already built".

"Alternatives to the car will need to be effective at existing urban residential densities".

[#Metro]

You need feeder buses. That's the secret.