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Public Transport Issues Data
There are numerous issues that commuters travelling to and from the Hills. This page will explore the 3 main issues regarding public transport:
Overcrowding
Delays
Accessibility
According to the survey, over 65% (24) of respondents have encountered a troubling experience whilst 35% have not encountered trouble when using public transport. 7 respondents reported other incidents besides the most common being assault, verbal abuse, severe overcrowding and delays.
(Reference: Automated graph from survey)
Troubling Experiences Data
Below is a summary map of the types of negative public transport experiences commuters experience.
(Reference: Automated map of responses from survey)
"Severe overcrowding, major delays, unable to get on
because of the people/having to wait for the next one."
- Anonymous
TROUBLING EXPERIENCES SAMPLE RESPONSES
Overcrowding
Overcrowding
Overcrowding refers to a condition where a high density of individuals are confined to a location that exceeds its optimal capacity. This issue presents commuters with numerous challenges, impacting operating speed, waiting times, travel time and passenger wellbeing.
In the graph shown on the right, approximately 89% of respondents have experienced overcrowding regularly whilst 11% of respondents reported to have never experienced overcrowding regularly. It can be inferred that overcrowding is a major issue in the Hills District for a majority of commuters.
(Photo taken of an overcrowded 747 Bus to Tallawong & Rouse Hill.)
Impacts & Concerns
Capacity
Overcrowding imposes the main concern of capacity. An overflowing number of passengers on either buses or railways results in commuters being stranded at stops and stations which contributes to delays.
Control & Injuries
Overly crowded transport, predominantly buses possess higher injury rates. The sheer density of people fitted to a bus may result in passengers having difficulty in having an anchorage point and balance due to the lack of handles equipped on buses and trains. Unlike railway services, buses require turning and stopping instantly in some cases. At high speeds, buses may resort to sudden brakes in the face of danger, resulting in passengers being pushed around the bus. They may collide quickly with other passengers or rough surfaces on the bus, posing potential injuries.
Health Issues
This also faces commuters with health issues with poor air quality due to inadequate ventilation. Overcrowding hinders the ability of air conditioners by distributing the air to each passenger, ultimately reducing the experience of commuters and establishing a lack of comfortability.
Delays
Delays
Delays are defined by a time in which something is late or postponed. This poses an issue towards its reliability and reputation as efficient transport. Commuters expect transport to arrive according to timetables. Delays ultimately dissuade commuters from utilising public transport and influence them to choose other modes of transportation.
Impacts & Concerns
Psychological Impact
Psychologically, public transport delays can potentially be stressors. The unpredictability of the punctuality of transportation impacts commuters by establishing a sense of urgency and lateness. When services are postponed, it may influence commuters to feel anger or frustration. This destroys the reliability of transport and its punctuality and time control.
Uncertainty & Control
The underlying impact of delays is the uncertainty imposed on commuters. Delays are uncontrollable, in commuters must rely on the service to expedite its efficiency and arrive at their destinations. When transport services are late, commuters have no choice but to depend on their arrival. This is influenced by the unpredictability of traffic and the amount of vehicles on any given day. Often, schedules are not always met due to the level of traffic. The punctuality of public transport in the Hills must be controlled to transport commuters promptly.
Accessibility
Accessibility
Accessibility is another prominent issue on public transport. In the context of public transport, accessibility refers to the extent to which all individuals can access its services. This includes commuters who possess disabilities and the proximity and spread of stops and stations.
Impacts & Concerns
Forcing Commuters to Travel
The lack of stops contributes to accessibility issues. In areas where public transportation access sites are limited, commuters are forced to travel farther distances to stations or stop to commute. This can cause severe overcrowding of sites and hinder the efficiency of services substantially.
Entering & Exiting Services
Disabled commuters face the hinderances of accessing disabled designated seating areas. On buses and railway services, overcrowding can severely impact access, predominantly for disabled commuters. Mobilised chairs such as mobility scooters, wheelchairs and prams may be unable to board the vehicle. Immensely overcrowded buses disable priority users such as disabled users, pregnant women and the elderly from being able to stabilise themselves on a bus with potential risks of injury.
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