Melville residents asked to ‘TravelSmart’

An intensive program soon to be offered to residents of Melville (Australia) is asking them to change two trips per week.

On the premise that "it’s how you get there that counts", the TravelSmart challenge is to pick one or two trips usually taken by car, and use another alternate such as by bicycle, foot or public transit.

Pre-selected households receive travel advice and information designed to make it easier for local residents to get around on trips where an alternate could be used instead of the private vehicle.

In February, 8,000 Melville residents were contacted by phone to talk about traffic and transport in the city. In March a private firm coordinating TravelSmart delivered individually tailored information packets directly to residents. Many of the deliveries were made by bicycle (with a trailer) or on foot, providing residents with pocket bus timetables, journey plans, cycling advice leaflets, and information on walking for health.

Private and commercial vehicles are a leading source of greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. Reducing vehicle use and using alternative forms of transportation and alternative fuels are some approaches to reducing these vehicular emissions. For more information, please visit www.iclei.org/ccp.

Melville is one of 95 local governments in Australia that are currently Members of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. For more information on ICLEI and its activities in the Oceania Region, please visit www.iclei.org/oceania.

Source: “TravelSmart: Can you change two trips per week?”, City of Melville website at www.melville.wa.gov.au.

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