2/11/05 Armadale residents are being urged to continue to take up the challenge of reducing their reliance on the family car.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said a new brochure was being distributed, providing community feedback on how their personal involvement in TravelSmart added up to big benefits for Armadale.
TravelSmart is a marketing program which helps individuals and households switch from cars to public transport, walking and cycling.
“This feedback will motivate the thousands of residents who took part in TravelSmart to keep using alternatives to the car,” Ms MacTiernan said.
“TravelSmart Household really works as the results show.
“The program for Armadale began in 2003 and was offered to 7,000 households.
“Since then, we have seen an annual reduction in car use of 370,000 trips, the use of six million fewer car kilometres and, most importantly, the saving of 1,750 tonnes of greenhouse gases.
“That is the equivalent of taking 400 cars off the road.”
Armadale residents are now making 270,000 more walking trips and 49,000 more cycling trips, as well as clocking up an extra 120,000 hours of physical activity per year.
TravelSmart households are also reaping financial benefits, with the average home saving about $500 a year in car running costs.
“TravelSmart is about making us as a community stop and think about the travel choices that we make,” the Minister said.
“As a government, we have invested heavily in public transport and cycling paths - we want to make sure that the community uses them so we have a healthier community and a cleaner, greener city.
“We have focused on improving Perth’s rail travel options, expanding the bicycle network and promoting transit-oriented development so that the public can decide which option is best for them and go for it.
“Leaving the car at home is good for the liveability of our city, good for the environment and good for people’s hip pockets, protecting our unique WA lifestyle along the way.”
Ms MacTiernan said the success in Armadale had been mirrored in suburbs across Perth including Marangaroo, South Perth, Subiaco, Melville, Fremantle, and the Town of Cambridge and the Town of Vincent.
Based on the impressive results so far, the TravelSmart program has been adopted in the Eastern States and overseas, including the United States, Europe and the United Kingdom.
Minister's office - 9213 6400
