Journey pattern adjustments on Sydney's metropolitan fringe an exploratory study

Abstract

Summary Families migrating to new residential estates on the metropolitan fringe discover that the benefits of the modern dwellings they acquire are offset by the longer distances they have to travel to jobs, shops, schools, health facilities and social‐kinship links. Since adequate public transport services are not available in these areas, coping with this isolation becomes a major logistic exercise hinging on the utilization of the family car. The paper analyses patterns of adjustment evident among one‐car families included in a small‐scale exploratory study conducted in the Campbelltown portion of Sydney's metropolitan fringe. Speculations regarding the nature of families at risk on the fringe are drawn from these observations, and a modified para‐transit system of local public transport is proposed as a possible solution to the suburban transport problem.