Blue Mountains City

Resident workers - Method of travel to work - All industries

Within Blue Mountains City, there is a lower proportion of resident All industries workers using public transport to get to work than the New South Wales workforce.

Maximising access to employment is a key objective in any economic development strategy. Understanding the modes of transport Blue Mountains City's local resident workers use (either within or outside the local area), informs decision-makers about the effectiveness of transport modes, routes and availability of local public transport.

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 between place of residence and place of work;
  • The number of motor vehicles available within a household; and
  • The travel distance to work, which for example, can allow people to walk or bicycle to their place of employment.

Method of Travel to Work data should be viewed in conjunction with resident place of work for a clearer picture of where working residents are employed.

Data source

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) – Census 2016 & 2021 – by method of travel

Select industry:
Current benchmark:
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Resident workers method of travel to work
Blue Mountains City20212016Change
Main method of travelNumber%. New South Wales%Number%. New South Wales%2016 - 2021
Car, as driver14,31139.443.421,71560.657.8-7,404
Car, as passenger7972.23.21,2223.44.3-425
Train6361.82.84,06111.311.2-3,425
Bus470.11.11490.44.4-102
Ferry30.00.130.00.2--
Tram50.00.090.00.1-4
Truck2790.80.73591.01.0-80
Motorbike/Motor scooter940.30.41830.50.6-89
Bicycle770.20.41190.30.7-42
Taxi/Other330.10.2660.20.2-33
Other - multiple methods1400.40.53601.01.2-220
Walked only5951.62.59182.63.9-323
Worked at home13,27836.631.02,4406.84.8+10,838
Did not go to work5,85816.113.24,02211.28.7+1,836
Not stated1370.40.52340.71.0-97
Total 36,290100.0100.035,860100.0100.0+430

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
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Dominant groups

In 2021, there were 688 resident workers who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in Blue Mountains City, compared with 15,481 who drove in private vehicles (car – as driver, car – as passenger, motorbike, or truck).

Analysis of the method of travel to work of the resident workers in Blue Mountains City shows that 1.9% used public transport, while 42.7% used a private vehicle, compared with 4.0% and 47.8% respectively in New South Wales.

The major differences between the method of travel to work of the resident workers in Blue Mountains City and the New South Wales workforce were:

  • A larger percentage of resident workers who worked at home (36.6% compared to 31.0%)
  • A smaller percentage of resident workers who travelled by car, as driver (39.4% compared to 43.4%)
  • A larger percentage of resident workers who did not go to work (16.1% compared to 13.2%)
  • A smaller percentage of resident workers who travelled by train (1.8% compared to 2.8%)

Emerging groups

The largest changes in the method of travel to work of the resident workers in Blue Mountains City between 2016 and 2021 were:

  • Worked at home (+10,838 resident workers)
  • Car, as driver (-7,404 resident workers)
  • Train (-3,425 resident workers)
  • Did not go to work (+1,836 resident workers)

Blue Mountains City Council

economic profile