THE INNOVATIVE USE OF THE PRIVATE CAR IN ADELAIDE

This report examines one way of achieving three separate but related objectives: better utilization of private vehicles; an alternative transport service for commuters; and the reduction of peak loadings on the public transport system. The concept itself is simple; to allow private motorists in authorised cars (identified perhaps by a blue sticker on the windscreen) to stop at bus stops during peak periods and pick up fare paying passengers. As with most simple concepts, the ways and means of putting the scheme into practice are much more complex. There are insurance implications, the legal responsibility of the licencing authority needs to be examined and the effects on traffic flows investigated, to name but a few. However most important to the success of the scheme is public acceptance. There has been much discussion about the public acceptability of shared ride schemes. One view is that the proposed "blue sticker scheme" would prove to be unacceptable - that the fears and social inhibitions of sharing rides with strangers would prove too strong a deterrent. Another view is that after an initial adjustment period the public would accept the scheme as just another transport service to be used when appropriate and convenient. To resolve these two conflicting views the department commissioned a further study to gauge the reaction to the scheme. The results, summarized in this report, suggest that some members of the public would be willing to be either blue sticker drivers or passengers. The economic and travel benefits to be gained are substantial if a satisfactory balance can be found. There is every advantage to be had in carrying out a demonstration project to determine the operating and regulating framework which best achieves this balance. (TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  South Australia Department of Transport, Australia

  Victoria Square
  Adelaide, South Australia,   Australia 
• Publication Date: 1981-3

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: n.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Administration; Attitudes; Automobiles; Commuting; Economics; Fares; Feasibility analysis; Insurance; Legislation; Paratransit services; Passengers; Payment; Peak periods; Private transportation; Psychological aspects; Public transit; Ridesharing; Social values
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• ITRD Terms: 155: Administration; 2267: Attitude (psychol); 8006: Australia; 1243: Car; 255: Economics; 1568: Insurance; 1556: Legislation; 272: Payment; 612: Peak hour; 746: Private transport; 744: Public transport; 1715: Vehicle occupant
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Economics; Finance; Highways; Law; Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00367487
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Report/Paper Numbers: Monograph
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Dec 30 1982 12:00AM