Campaign promotes reduced car usage to tackle $17 billion problem
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The love affair between Australians and their cars has been a long-standing tradition, with the nation boasting one of the world's highest private car ownership rates.
However, this relationship is now under scrutiny as Australia faces a staggering $17 billion problem—the cost of congestion and delays on the roads.
With this figure expected to balloon to $30 billion by 2030, the call for Australians to ditch their cars has never been louder.
The congestion crisis is not just about the frustration of sitting in traffic; it's a multifaceted issue that impacts the environment, public health, and the economy.
Air pollution, carbon emissions, and the sheer amount of public space dedicated to parking are all contributing factors to this growing concern.
A recent campaign advocates reducing car ownership and usage, particularly in major cities, as a solution to ease these problems.
However, the challenge is significant, given the current public transport infrastructure, which many Australians need more support for their daily needs.
Research commissioned by Uber has illuminated the extent of the issue, revealing that at least 2.5 million cars in Australia are underutilised, with the majority being second cars in urban areas.
These vehicles are often financial burdens, incurring costs such as financing, insurance, and depreciation, even when they travel less than 5,000km per year.
Astonishingly, cars in Australia are idle 95 per cent of the time, taking up valuable space that could be repurposed for public use.
Uber has announced a large-scale study in Sydney to promote a car-light future, where over 2,400 residents will give up their cars for three weeks.
This follows a smaller trial conducted last year, which provided insights into the necessity of having access to at least four high-quality alternative transport modes for individuals to consider giving up their cars.
Emma Foley, Managing Director of Uber Australia & New Zealand, emphasises that other solutions exist while transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) is crucial.
'An emissions-free future depends on fundamentally rethinking how people move through our cities,' she states.
Uber's commitment to this vision was further reinforced at their second annual climate event in London, Go-Get Zero, where they announced global and local initiatives to eliminate emissions by 2040.
These include transitioning Uber Green to a fully electric product and making EVs more accessible for driver-partners.
With over 5,400 EV drivers on Uber in Australia and more than 2.3 million EV trips, the company is making strides towards a greener future.
The $17 billion congestion problem is a wake-up call for everyone to explore and embrace alternative modes of transport.
In other news, Uber launched a new feature called 'Rider Emissions Savings' in Australia to promote greener choices.
This feature lets users view the estimated carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions they've saved by choosing 'Uber Green' or 'Comfort Electric' sustainable ride options. You can read more about it here.
Have you considered giving up your car, or have you already switched to alternative transportation? What challenges have you faced, and what benefits have you noticed?
However, this relationship is now under scrutiny as Australia faces a staggering $17 billion problem—the cost of congestion and delays on the roads.
With this figure expected to balloon to $30 billion by 2030, the call for Australians to ditch their cars has never been louder.
The congestion crisis is not just about the frustration of sitting in traffic; it's a multifaceted issue that impacts the environment, public health, and the economy.
Air pollution, carbon emissions, and the sheer amount of public space dedicated to parking are all contributing factors to this growing concern.
Australians are encouraged to reduce car usage due to congestion costs of $17 billion annually. Credit: Shutterstock
A recent campaign advocates reducing car ownership and usage, particularly in major cities, as a solution to ease these problems.
However, the challenge is significant, given the current public transport infrastructure, which many Australians need more support for their daily needs.
Research commissioned by Uber has illuminated the extent of the issue, revealing that at least 2.5 million cars in Australia are underutilised, with the majority being second cars in urban areas.
These vehicles are often financial burdens, incurring costs such as financing, insurance, and depreciation, even when they travel less than 5,000km per year.
Astonishingly, cars in Australia are idle 95 per cent of the time, taking up valuable space that could be repurposed for public use.
Uber has announced a large-scale study in Sydney to promote a car-light future, where over 2,400 residents will give up their cars for three weeks.
This follows a smaller trial conducted last year, which provided insights into the necessity of having access to at least four high-quality alternative transport modes for individuals to consider giving up their cars.
Emma Foley, Managing Director of Uber Australia & New Zealand, emphasises that other solutions exist while transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) is crucial.
'An emissions-free future depends on fundamentally rethinking how people move through our cities,' she states.
Uber's commitment to this vision was further reinforced at their second annual climate event in London, Go-Get Zero, where they announced global and local initiatives to eliminate emissions by 2040.
These include transitioning Uber Green to a fully electric product and making EVs more accessible for driver-partners.
With over 5,400 EV drivers on Uber in Australia and more than 2.3 million EV trips, the company is making strides towards a greener future.
The $17 billion congestion problem is a wake-up call for everyone to explore and embrace alternative modes of transport.
In other news, Uber launched a new feature called 'Rider Emissions Savings' in Australia to promote greener choices.
This feature lets users view the estimated carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions they've saved by choosing 'Uber Green' or 'Comfort Electric' sustainable ride options. You can read more about it here.
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