Transport Limitations

Indicator Rationale

Access to both public or private transportation is essential for citizens to contribute to their community and reach their potential. Safe, reliable affordable transport is a key determinant of people’s opportunities to access health services and programs, education and secure employment. It is especially important for the elderly to have access to public transportation. Limitation in regards to transport is related to social isolation and also has a relationship with sedentary lifestyles.

Data Source

Community Indicators Victoria Survey 2007

Measure

People Who Experienced Transport Limitations in the Last 12 Months: expressed as a percentage of the adult population.

A small number of survey respondents (representing 0.3% of the weighted survey estimates across Victoria, and less than 1.4% in every LGA) didn't know or refused to answer the survey question. These respondents have been excluded from the data analysis.

For this indicator, respondents who stated that they had experienced transport limitations, but the sole reason for which was either bushfire or roadworks, have not been regarded as experiencing transport limitations.

Survey Question

QB1. Has your day to day travel been limited or restricted for any reason in the last 12 months? Yes; No.

QB2. Was your travel limited or restricted for any of the following reasons? Yes; No.

a. No access to a motor vehicle when needed

b. No public transport in your area

c. (If not 'yes' response to b.) Public transport didn't go where you needed to go

d. (If not 'yes' response to b.) Public transport ran at the wrong time

e. (If not 'yes' response to b.) Public transport was too expensive

f. A health problem or physical difficulty

g. Fear of personal security

h. Fear of safety when travelling on busy roads

i. Poor quality or a lack of footpaths

j. Poor quality or a lack of bicycle paths, or

k. For some other reason (specify). Some of the more common reasons specified were coded following the completion of the survey interview period - these included bushfire and roadworks.

Source of Question

These questions were designed in consultation with the Victorian Department of Infrastructure (DoI), following the examination of a variety of transport-related questions asked in other surveys.

Reference

Victorian Department of Infrastructure (2006). Accessible Public Transport In Victoria - Action Plan 2006-12.