Free public transport is a bad idea: RMIT expert

It follows the Tasmanian government’s announcement that it will make bus services free for the next few months. The Victorian government has been urged to do the same by the Victorian Greens.

Professor Jago Dodson (0415 554 889 or jago.dodson@rmit.edu.au)

Topics: Transport, infrastructure development, urban governance, housing and planning policy.

“Free public transport is not a well-considered idea – it would benefit wealthier households more than the less affluent.

“Public transport services are generally much better in inner and middle suburbs, where those on higher incomes tend to live.

“The further you get from the CBD the sparser and less integrated services become. Making inadequate transport free won’t help.

“From an overall welfare perspective, making public transport free is economically regressive and contradicts the progressive positioning usually favoured by the Greens.

“Governments’ goal should be to invest in public transport to ensure more equitable services. This could be funded by cancelling road projects, such as Melbourne’s $16 billion North East Link toll tunnel project, which entrench automobile dependence.”

Professor Jago Dodson is the Director of the RMIT Centre for Urban Research. He has an extensive record of research in housing, transport, urban planning, infrastructure, energy and urban governance problems. He is a frequent commentator in the media and has contributed extensively to scholarly and public debate about Australian cities.

For interviews, contact Professor Jago Dodson: 0415 554 889 or jago.dodson@rmit.edu.au.

For media enquiries, contact RMIT Communications: 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au.