This paper describes a small-scale Delphi survey of participants in a BTE workshop, held to discuss the Future of Urban Passenger Transport in Australia. The survey was not central to the workshop, but rather the workshop provided a convenient focus and venue for such a survey to be mounted.

• The Future of Urban Passenger Transport: A Delphi Survey
  
  op_052.pdf
  (4.3 MB)

The main aim of this Paper is to take a step towards filling the gap in the information available on the transport needs of the disabled. In particular, the travel behaviour and preferences of disabled people in Canberra are explored with a view to producing insights into the effectiveness and limitations of existing and recently introduced transport services specifically designed for this group. Financial and organisational constraints affecting the operation of such services are also considered.

• Transport of the Disabled in the ACT
  
  op_054.pdf
  (5.28 MB)

This Paper has been prepared as part of an investigation into the value of travel time savings. It follows on from the work reported in the Bureau of Transport Economics Occasional Paper 51 which found that little confidence could be attached to the currently available values.

• Mathematical Techniques for Estimation of the Value of Travel Time Savings: A Review
  
  op_057.pdf
  (3.23 MB)

This Report covers the interpretation of the social audit concept, the methodology for its application and potential areas of application to Australian transport. The Report also considers possible guidelines and proposals for promoting the social audit approach.

• Social Audit and Australian Transport Evaluation
  
  report_058.pdf
  (3.78 MB)

This Paper was commissioned by the Bureau of Transport Economics to expand the Bureau's understanding of the nature and extent of subsidies in Australian transportation. The Paper looks at public transport in Australian cities and some of the methodologies which can be used in the evaluation of benefits and costs arising from changes in fare structures or from changes in service levels. The methodologies and data used were based on publicly available sources with minimum use being made of confidential data or analysis. However, the assumptions underlying this study reflect the author's views and are not necessarily those of the Bureau of Transport Economics.

• Benefits of Urban Public Transport Subsidies in Australia
  
  op_071.pdf
  (5.17 MB)

Recent years have seen a major-increase in the level of competition within the long distance coach industry in Australia. This competition has led to a significant fall in fares and a reported growth in passenger numbers. Initial examination of information sources revealed an almost complete lack of reliable, publicly available, disaggregate data on the industry. Information used in preparation of this Paper was obtained in discussions with coach operators and State authorities, by detailed analysis of coach timetables and observations of coach occupancy. However, information on the size and income of the industry is still based on estimates rather than on any formal industry returns.

• Australian Long Distance Coach Industry Review
  
  op_074.pdf
  (7.15 MB)

This Paper presents information about the transport sector in Australia. Included are details of the relative importance of the transport sector in the Australian economy, transport costs in the production and distribution of commodities, the contribution that transport makes to Australia's Balance of Payments and some international comparisons.

• The Transport Sector in the Australian Economy
  
  ip_022.pdf
  (5.46 MB)

The Bureau of Transport Economics (BTE) agreed to a request from the Commissioner of the New South Wales Department of Motor Transport (DMT) to undertake a study to monitor a six-month trial. The trial period extended from 17 November 1986 to 17 May 1987 and was confined to the Sydney–Canberra and Sydney–North Coast of New South Wales corridors. The information upon which the results of this study are based was obtained from a review of official statistics relating to passenger travel, information supplied by industry sources, New South Wales Government instrumentalities and from surveys of passengers on bus and train services undertaken by the BTE. The surveys were carried out in January and April 1987 to provide profile characteristics of passengers travelling during peak and off-peak periods respectively.

• Intrastate Bus Services in New South Wales: Trial Entry Liberalisation
  
  op_085.pdf
  (4.1 MB)

In December 1986, the Australian Transport Advisory Council (ATAC) sought the assistance of the Bureau of Transport Economics in undertaking a review of transport research in Australia. The aims of the resulting study carried out by the Bureau were to identify the nature and extent of current Australian transport research, to assess priority areas for future research and to address coordination issues pertinent to delivery of an effective research effort. Following consideration at the December 1987 meeting of ATAC the results of the review are to be used as a basis for discussion at a seminar on transport research to be convened early in 1988.

• A Review of Transport Research in Australia
  
  ip_025.pdf
  (7.78 MB)

The car rental industry in Australia has experienced strong growth in turnover during the past decade and a correspondingly high degree of price and service competition. Industry turnover has increased from $25 million in 1975 to in excess of $200 million in 1986, with the four national operators accounting for an estimated 80 to 85 per cent of industry turnover. The study indicates that greater operator access to Commonwealth airports since 1979 has been beneficial for consumers, operators and government airport concession revenue, alike.

• Australian Car Rental Industry Study
  
  op_086.pdf
  (5.94 MB)