CBD and Harbour Village Area
Method of travel to work
On Census day 2016 in CBD and Harbour Village Area, 16.6% of people travelled to work in a private car, 22.7% took public transport and 45.4% rode a bike or walked. 6.1% worked at home.
CBD and Harbour Village Area'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.
Derived from the Census question:
'How did the person get to work on Tuesday, 10 August 2021?'
Employed persons aged 15 years and over
| Method of travel to work | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBD and Harbour Village Area - Employed persons (Usual residence) | 2016 | 2011 | Change | |||||
| Main method of travel | Number | % | City of Sydney % | Number | % | City of Sydney % | 2011 to 2016 | |
| Train | 663 | 14.8 | 21.9 | 420 | 10.5 | 16.2 | +243 | 16001 |
| Bus | 352 | 7.9 | 13.0 | 307 | 7.7 | 14.0 | +45 | 16003 |
| Tram | 3 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0 | -- | 0.4 | +3 | 16005 |
| Ferry | 0 | -- | 0.1 | 7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | -7 | 16006 |
| Taxi/ride-share | 54 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 133 | 3.3 | 1.3 | -79 | 16007 |
| Car - as driver | 666 | 14.9 | 19.9 | 544 | 13.6 | 22.8 | +122 | 16009 |
| Car - as passenger | 76 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 67 | 1.7 | 2.5 | +9 | 16011 |
| Truck | 0 | -- | 0.1 | 0 | -- | 0.2 | 0 | 16013 |
| Motorbike | 7 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 8 | 0.2 | 1.2 | -1 | 16015 |
 Bicycle | 12 | 0.3 | 3.0 | 24 | 0.6 | 3.0 | -12 | 16017 |
| Walked only | 2,024 | 45.2 | 24.0 | 1,935 | 48.5 | 25.3 | +89 | 16019 |
| Other | 53 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 88 | 2.2 | 1.2 | -35 | 16021 |
| Worked at home | 272 | 6.1 | 4.1 | 205 | 5.1 | 4.0 | +67 | 16023 |
| Did not go to work | 256 | 5.7 | 6.7 | 232 | 5.8 | 7.1 | +24 | 16025 |
| Not stated | 44 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 16 | 0.4 | 0.9 | +28 | 16027 |
| Total employed persons aged 15+ | 4,482 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 3,986 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +496 | |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing (opens a new window) 2011 and 2016. Compiled and presented by .id (opens a new window)(informed decisions).
(Usual residence data)
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Dominant groups
In 2016, there were 1,018 people who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in CBD and Harbour Village Area, compared with 749 who drove in private vehicles (car – as driver, car – as passenger, motorbike, or truck).
Analysis of the method of travel to work of the residents in CBD and Harbour Village Area in 2016, compared to City of Sydney, shows that 22.7% used public transport, while 16.6% used a private vehicle, compared with 35.5% and 22.1% respectively in City of Sydney.
The major differences in persons between the method of travel to work of CBD and Harbour Village Area and City of Sydney were:
- A larger percentage of persons who walked only (45.2% compared to 24.0%)
- A smaller percentage of persons who travelled by train (14.8% compared to 21.9%)
- A smaller percentage of persons who travelled by bus (7.9% compared to 13.0%)
- A smaller percentage of persons who travelled by car (as driver) (14.9% compared to 19.9%)
Emerging groups
The number of employed people in CBD and Harbour Village Area increased by 496 between 2011 and 2016.
The largest changes in the method of travel to work by resident population in CBD and Harbour Village Area between 2011 and 2016 were for those nominated:
- Train (+243 persons)
- Car - as driver (+122 persons)
- Walked only (+89 persons)
- Taxi/ride-share (-79 persons)