The line graphs compare council spending on public transport and the number of journeys made annually on public transport in four Australian cities (Hamilton, Geelong, Carlton, and Seddon) between 2000 and 2040, with some projections included.
Overall, Hamilton and Geelong see consistent increases in both investment and public transport usage over the 40-year period. Carlton’s investment initially rises but is predicted to decline, paralleling a steady drop in journeys made. Seddon, on the other hand, experiences consistent declines in both spending and patronage throughout the period.
In terms of investment, Hamilton consistently receives the highest funding, starting at $33 million in 2000 and increasing gradually to $42 million by 2040. Geelong begins with the lowest investment at $11 million but sees the most dramatic rise, reaching $35 million by 2020 and almost matching Hamilton at $40 million in 2040. Carlton’s funding grows significantly from $3 million in 2000 to $28 million in 2020 but is expected to drop sharply to $14 million by 2040. Conversely, Seddon’s investment decreases steadily from $30 million to $12 million over the entire period.
Public transport usage mirrors these trends to some extent. Geelong exhibits a steep and steady rise in journeys, from approximately 10,000 in 2000 to nearly 70,000 in 2040. Hamilton also sees growth, albeit more modest, increasing from 40,000 to around 70,000 over the same period. By contrast, Carlton experiences a gradual decline in public transport use, dropping from 40,000 trips in 2000 to just 20,000 in 2040. Seddon shows the sharpest decline, with journeys falling from 40,000 in 2000 to just 20,000 by 2040, remaining constant for some years before a slight increase near the end.
In summary, the cities show divergent trends, with Hamilton and Geelong experiencing growth in both investment and public transport usage, while Carlton and Seddon are predicted to face declines in both areas.