The federal opposition has reiterated calls for transport spending to be accelerated, after an Australian survey showed commute times have risen 23 per cent since 2002.
Data collected by the University of Melbourne shows average weekly travel times are now 4.5 hours of combined travel to and from work.
That figure is up 23 per cent, from 3.7 hours recorded in 2002, and effectively adds to the typical 38-hour working week by 12 per cent.
Sydney commuters now face an average 71-minute journey to and from work each day, while Melbournians are averaging 65 minutes of workday travel.
One in six Australians now commutes for more than two hours each workday, compared to just one in eight in 2002.
Labor’s shadow minister for infrastructure and transport Catherine King said the data was more evidence the Morrison Government needs to move forward planned spending on infrastructure.
“The HILDA survey notes longer commute times can reduce worker wellbeing through diminished job satisfaction and flexibility between work and non-work commitments,” King said.
“It’s time for Scott Morrison’s two Ministers for Infrastructure – Michael McCormack and Alan Tudge – to bring forward investment in infrastructure projects to stimulate the Australian economy and actually bust congestion, not just talk about it.
“After talking a big game on infrastructure during the election campaign, Australians are rightly concerned by McCormack and Tudge’s repeated refusals to bring forward infrastructure investment to stimulate a sluggish economy and bust congestion.”
Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW secretary Alex Claassens specifically called on the NSW Government to address long commute times.
“The news that Sydneysiders are spending longer than ever commuting each week will come as no shock to anyone who commutes in Sydney,” Claassens said.
“Rather than attempting to fix the growing problem of long commute times, the Transport Minister is instead focused on privatising our vital public transport assets – a move that’s of no benefit to anyone except a handful of wealthy business shareholders.”