The section below is republished with permission from the Going Solar Transport Newsletter #31, 9 October 2007. Going Solar, www.goingsolar.com.au/transport.

Facts and Statistics for Victoria
􀂃 1 million additional vehicles registered in last 10 years in Victoria
􀂃 Around 55,000 more heavy vehicles on road in last 10 years
􀂃 Victoria’s freight to double between 2004 and 2024
􀂃 VCEC report estimates total cost of congestion to our economy to be between $1.3 billion and $2.6 billion per year
􀂃 Since 1999, more than $4.8 billion has been invested in building better roads across Victoria, including over $2.1 billion on regional roads, e.g. 1999, $230 million was spent per year on roads. Today, it is $880 million.
􀂃 The last Budget included $30 million congestion package to improve traffic flows at key road and freeway network locations
􀂃 Other specific projects to help ease congestion include the $1 billion Monash West Gate corridor upgrade; and $1.3 billion for upgrading our outer metropolitan arterial roads
􀂃 Committed more than $100 million to trams and buses having on-road priority between 2004 and 2010
􀂃 Currently, there are approximately 1.25 million car trips on the metropolitan arterial road network during the morning 2-hour peak per day, likely to grow by a further 400,000 over the next 25 years
􀂃 Over 12 million trips made each day in Melbourne (including walking and cycling)
􀂃 40 per cent of trips in Melbourne are less than two kilometres long, and 60 per cent are less than five kilometres long
􀂃 83% of all trips to work in and around Melbourne are by car, but only about 7% of these actually occur with a passenger on board
􀂃 Aiming by 2020 to have 20 per cent of motorised trips taken on public transport
􀂃 2,500 boardings at the Doncaster Park and Ride each day
Ref: Facts and figures that were presented in the Minister for Roads and Ports speech at the Victorian Road Based Public Transport Advisory Council Summit held on 29 August 2007. Thanks to VicRoads for this information.