With Sydney's public transport systems currently under intense public and government scrutiny, Garry Glazebrook's report Designing a 30 Year Public Transport Plan for Sydney is a timely proposed long-term plan backed by the necessary financing and supportive policies.

His report provides a detailed public transport plan for the Sydney region. Key features of the plan include specific proposals for some 26 key links, including upgrades to heavy rail, new metro and light rail networks, and new bus-based ring routes for circumferential travel.

A seamless system is proposed through integrated fares and ticketing, improved interchanges and passenger information, and large-scale expansion park-and-ride facilities for bikes as well as cars.

The plan maximises cost effectiveness by utilising existing capacity in the heavy and light rail networks, introducing more efficient metro style trains and light rail vehicles where appropriate, while avoiding expensive underwater crossings.

It also includes proposals for funding the additional $40 billion cost over the next 30 years, noting that this needs to be compared with the $660 billion we will spend on our cars over that period even without growth in car traffic.

Public transport usage will double under the plan. Together with a doubling of walking and cycling, greenpower for rail-based systems and greener cars, this will enable Sydney to reduce its fuel use and greenhouse emissions by more than 50% by 2036, despite an anticipated increase in population.

View Garry's report in Research Outcomes