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City of Port PhillipCommunity profile

South Melbourne

Method of travel to work

On Census day 2021 in South Melbourne, 27.8% of males travelled to work in a private car, 5.6% took public transport and 12.5% rode a bike or walked. 45.9% worked at home.

South Melbourne'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
South Melbourne - Employed males (Usual residence)20212016Change
Main method of travelNumber%City of Port Phillip %Number%City of Port Phillip %2016 to 2021
Train200.82.9592.98.9-40
Bus0--0.760.31.7-6
Tram1134.84.035517.414.2-242
Ferry0--0.00--0.00
Taxi/ride-share0--0.340.20.4-4
Car - as driver63626.832.385341.744.6-217
Car - as passenger241.01.3180.91.8+5
Truck0--0.20--0.20
Motorbike30.10.9191.01.4-17
Bicycle923.93.01386.85.9-47
Walked only2048.64.531715.57.2-114
Other180.81.3391.92.3-22
Worked at home1,09045.940.21226.05.2+967
Did not go to work1717.28.01055.25.4+66
Not stated40.20.450.20.7-1
Total employed persons aged 15+2,375100.0100.02,046100.0100.0+329
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 133 males who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in South Melbourne, compared with 663 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 South Melbourne in 2021, compared to the City of Port Phillip, shows that 5.6% used public transport, while 27.8% used a private vehicle, compared with 7.6% and 33.6% respectively in the City of Port Phillip.

The major differences in males between the method of travel to work of South Melbourne and the City of Port Phillip were:

  • A larger percentage of males who worked at home (45.9% compared to 40.2%)
  • A larger percentage of males who walked only (8.6% compared to 4.5%)
  • A smaller percentage of males who travelled by car (as driver) (26.8% compared to 32.3%)
  • A smaller percentage of males who travelled by train (0.8% compared to 2.9%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed males in South Melbourne increased by 329 between 2016 and 2021.

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

  • Worked at home (+967 males)
  • Tram (-242 males)
  • Car - as driver (-217 males)
  • Walked only (-114 males)

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