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Soaring fuel prices are changing the way South Australians get around, with almost half of residents saying they have altered their travel habits and thousands choosing to walk, catch public transport or simply drive less.
New research from RAA has revealed 46 percent of South Australians have changed how, or how often, they travel following the sharp rise in fuel prices earlier this year.
The shift has been particularly noticeable when it comes to unnecessary trips, with one in three respondents saying they have cut back on non-essential driving for things such as social outings and recreation.
Another 31 percent are combining errands and trips to reduce the amount of time they spend on the road, while 12 percent are avoiding travelling at certain times of the day and eight per cent have changed their commute route to reduce the distance they drive.
But South Australians aren’t simply staying home.
RAA’s Transport Benchmark Study found 22 percent of respondents are now walking more than they did previously, while 15 percent have increased their use of public transport and six per cent are cycling more.
RAA Senior Manager Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain said the results showed just how quickly rising petrol prices could influence people’s everyday decisions.
“When fuel prices surged in March, we saw South Australians respond immediately, cutting non-essential trips, combining errands, and for many, leaving the car at home altogether in favour of walking or public transport,” Mr Mountain said.
“It’s a reminder of just how sensitive our travel habits are to the cost of driving.”
While the change has been driven by increased household costs, Mr Mountain said there could be some longer-term benefits if South Australians were given viable alternatives to driving.
“While no one wants to see people forced out of their cars by rising prices, there could be a silver lining here – more people finding alternative modes of transport like walking and using public transport means less congestion and lower emissions,” he said.
“The challenge now is giving people more transport options for them to use on a long-term basis beyond their personal cars.”
The research also identified some of the major reasons South Australians are reluctant to make public transport a bigger part of their routine.
Of those surveyed, 43 percent said public transport took too long, 32 percent said services did not go where they needed them to, and 20 percent identified unreliable or late services as a barrier.
Cycling presents its own challenges, with around one in four respondents who do not currently cycle saying they do not feel safe riding.
Mr Mountain said investment in faster and more reliable public transport, along with protected cycling routes, could give more commuters genuine alternatives to travelling by car.
“If we want to ensure more commuters have the ability to change their travel behaviour, that’s where the investment needs to go.”
More information on RAA’s Growth without Gridlock advocacy platform is available via the RAA website.
