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City of NewcastleCommunity profile

City of Newcastle

Method of travel to work

On Census day 2021 in the City of Newcastle, 58.3% of males travelled to work in a private car, 1.6% took public transport and 3.8% rode a bike or walked. 20.8% worked at home.

The City of Newcastle's commuting statistics reveal the main modes of transport by which residents get to work. There are a number of reasons why people use different modes of transport to get to work including the availability of affordable and effective public transport options, the number of motor vehicles available within a household, and the distance travelled to work.

Commuting data is very useful in transport planning as it informs decision-makers about the availability, effectiveness and utilisation of local transport options, particularly when analysed with Residents Place of Work data and Car Ownership.

WARNING: Method of travel to work relates to Census day, which for the 2021 Census occurred during COVID-19 lockdowns for large parts of Australia. In lockdown, many occupations were required to work from home if possible, and some industries were closed, so people did not go to work. For this reason, these categories may have increased, with corresponding declines in other methods of travel. Use the data with caution when comparing over time. For more details, please refer to the data notes.

Q:

Derived from the Census question:

'How did the person get to work on Tuesday, 10 August 2021?'

Method of travel to work
City of Newcastle - Employed males (Usual residence)20212016Change
Main method of travelNumber%Regional NSW %Number%Regional NSW %2016 to 2021
Train2000.50.34591.21.0-259
Bus4491.00.68712.40.9-422
Tram380.10.030.00.0+35
Ferry150.00.0330.10.0-18
Taxi/ride-share560.10.1540.10.1+2
Car - as driver23,98455.863.925,94070.069.9-1,956
Car - as passenger1,0662.53.91,4864.04.6-420
Truck3370.81.93741.02.3-37
Motorbike3490.80.75091.41.0-160
Bicycle5611.30.61,0102.70.9-449
Walked only1,0712.52.91,3613.73.5-290
Other5011.21.35871.61.7-86
Worked at home8,91420.813.41,0592.95.1+7,855
Did not go to work5,24112.29.73,0158.17.9+2,226
Not stated1640.40.72920.81.2-128
Total employed persons aged 15+42,946100.0100.037,053100.0100.0+5,893
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

Dominant groups

In 2021, there were 702 males who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in City of Newcastle, compared with 25,736 who drove in private vehicles (car – as driver, car – as passenger, motorbike, or truck).

Analysis of the method of travel to work of the male residents in the City of Newcastle in 2021, compared to Regional NSW, shows that 1.6% used public transport, while 58.3% used a private vehicle, compared with 0.9% and 67.8% respectively in Regional NSW.

The major differences in males between the method of travel to work of the City of Newcastle and Regional NSW were:

  • A larger percentage of males who worked at home (20.8% compared to 13.4%)
  • A larger percentage of males who did not go to work (12.2% compared to 9.7%)
  • A smaller percentage of males who travelled by car (as driver) (55.8% compared to 63.9%)
  • A smaller percentage of males who travelled by car (as a passenger) (2.5% compared to 3.9%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed males in City of Newcastle increased by 5,893 between 2016 and 2021.

The largest changes in the method of travel to work by male resident population in the City of Newcastle between 2016 and 2021 were for those nominated:

  • Worked at home (+7,855 males)
  • Did not go to work (+2,226 males)
  • Car - as driver (-1,956 males)
  • Bicycle (-449 males)

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