Australia’s rising fuel prices are beginning to curb road usage, with traffic declining across Sydney and Melbourne as commuters cut back on driving amid higher costs, according to The Guardian.
Key highlights
- Sydney highways see up to 20% drop in weekend traffic
- Melbourne roads record sharp declines, some nearly 50%
- Fuel prices surge significantly amid Middle East tensions
- Airport traffic drops as airfares rise and flights are cut
- Public transport usage rises across Queensland
- Analysts warn of further declines if conflict persists
Sydney roads see broad-based slowdown
Traffic volumes across Sydney’s key roads have fallen sharply since fuel prices began rising in early March.
Data from Transport NSW shows:
- Cross City Tunnel traffic down 7%
- M2, Eastern Distributor and Sydney Harbour Bridge down over 6%
- Weekend trips across major roads down by up to 20%
Weekday trips on the Harbour Bridge dropped from about 144,000 to below 135,000 before partially recovering.
Melbourne traffic drops even steeper
Melbourne has seen even sharper declines, particularly on key transport corridors.
The Tullamarine Freeway recorded a 20% drop in traffic by late March, with volumes plunging nearly 50% in early April.
Other major routes including the M1 and M80 also saw traffic fall considerably, representing tens of thousands fewer daily trips.
Fuel price surge drives behavioural shift
Petrol prices have risen around 50 cents per litre, while diesel prices have surged by as much as 140 cents per litre since the onset of the Iran conflict.
This sharp increase has pushed many Australians to:
- Reduce discretionary travel
- Shift to public transport
- Work from home or cycle
Airport traffic declines as travel costs rise
Traffic to Sydney Airport has also declined, reflecting broader travel disruptions.
Trips fell:
- 9% on Airport Drive
- 7% on Qantas Drive
Higher airfares and flight cancellations have contributed to reduced mobility.
Toll road data signals weakening demand
Operator Transurban reported declining traffic across several toll roads.
While some routes like WestConnex saw gains, overall traffic growth slowed sharply, with analysts estimating around 20,000 fewer daily trips in March compared to last year.
Public transport demand surges
As road traffic declines, public transport usage is rising, particularly in Queensland.
Data shows:
- Overall patronage up 7%
- Rail usage up 12.6%
- Weekend travel up as much as 20%
This shift highlights changing commuter behaviour amid rising fuel costs.
What this means for Australia
The decline in road traffic reflects broader economic pressure from rising energy costs and geopolitical uncertainty.
Analysts warn that continued disruption in global oil markets could further dampen mobility and economic activity.
Now what?
Traffic trends will depend on fuel price movements and the stability of global energy supply.
If fuel costs remain elevated, reduced road usage and higher public transport demand are likely to persist.
FAQs
Q1: Why is traffic falling in Australia?
Rising fuel prices are making driving more expensive, leading to reduced road usage.
Q2: Which cities are most affected?
Sydney and Melbourne are seeing the sharpest declines.
Q3: How much have fuel prices increased?
Petrol is up about 50 cents per litre, while diesel has surged even more.
Q4: Are people using public transport more?
Yes, public transport usage has increased significantly.
Q5: Will traffic recover soon?
It depends on fuel prices and global supply conditions.
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