D1.2.3 Investigate higher capacity transport modes and protect corridors.

Over 70 per cent of workers in Sydney's CBD use public transport to and from work. This is the highest mode share in Australia and is comparable with Manhattan. In order to increase this mode share, there needs to be an increase in public transport capacity. The proposed North West-CBD-South West Rail Link will significantly increase capacity on the rail network.

Increasing public transport capacity on the road network requires increased priority for road based public transport (buses and light rail). The bus lane on the Harbour Bridge has demonstrated how effective dedicated bus lanes can be. More than 13,000 people are carried across the bridge in the bus lane in the morning peak hour. This is more than all the other traffic lanes combined. Reallocating existing road space to public transport requires restricting the road space allocated to general traffic. In assessing proposals, the Government needs to ensure its economic and social objectives are met through greater priority to public transport.

In considering higher capacity modes, issues include the risk to Government, commercial viability, opportunities for Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), existing services, integration with existing networks, and potential to develop new networks.

The investigation of potential mass transit routes will allow the protection of corridors and the allocation of road space for bus priority as the first step to increased road based public transport capacity.

The Government will protect potential future corridors for mass transit in the CBD and inner Sydney by protecting the air space and selected underground space on potential corridors.

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