Connectivity to and from other destinations
 Better Placed: Better for Community |  Future Transport: Customer Focused |
 Future Transport: Accessible services |
Places do not exist in isolation from each other, and people within them form part of a wider community of people with whom they share values or common services across town, the city or region. Sustainable transport modes can join these together, particularly for people of all ages and abilities and requires public transport to be the obvious choice for places that are further afield.
Physically connected communities support social cohesion and positive health outcomes.
Consider not only typical destinations like jobs and shops, but also connecting people with similar interests – places of worship, cultural centres or parklands, and access to essential services that are key to a community thriving – hospitals, high schools, and universities.
Public transport provides equitable and efficient access to and from more distant places. Projects need to identify the existing and future public transport network and incorporate this network in the overall design, with the appropriate priority to their frequency and service type (e.g. rapid services). Where public transport passes through places, consider how services affect that place (e.g. severance, speed). Where the project proposes re-routing of public transport, this must be done in close collaboration with operators.
It may be necessary to adapt speed limits and road space allocation for greater sustainable transport priority, including space for public transport stops, bicycle racks, and benches for resting.
Key questions
- Is there a known pinch point for freight or public transport, and if so, how is it being resolved?
- Can people, especially those with lower incomes or most socially disadvantaged, easily access important destinations such as shops, health services, schools, and jobs by public transport?
- Are there sufficient end-of-trip facilities to serve the place – parking, loading, bicycle racks, bus waiting space, and shelters? Are they aligned with the desired mode share?
- Are public transport nodes safe and easy to approach on foot and bicycle, clearly signed and well-lit with direct routes and safe and convenient crossing points?
- Are all intensive land uses within a frequent (rapid or turn-up-and-go) public transport corridor?
- Have suitable priority measures been identified for frequent public transport routes?
