Due to the consistent rises in petrol prices, I've decided to start substituting other forms of transport.

Bus-ing It
Being a full-time student, a bus fare is now cheaper than the cost of petrol to drive into town. Luckily, my schedule is usually flexible enough to work around the bus schedule, but I know others who do not yet find it practical for their full-time schedule, with most last buses departing at 2-3pm. Working hours are pretty standard here so having buses after 5pm would allow full-time workers to use this form of transport.

Other considerations...
I took the last bus home today but fell asleep just in time to miss my stop! Luckily I woke up at the next stop...but it still took me 20 minutes to walk home with my many bags. Not having a car to dump all my stuff in (like my second home) forces me to plan more carefully what I need for the day.

I Want to Ride My Bicycle!
I would prefer to ride a bicycle, but my place is off Moore Park Road, which feels dangerous for an novice cyclist such as myself, as it is a 80-100km zone, generally narrow, often with no shoulder (i.e. the road is no wider than the outer line) and there is a fair degree of traffic in peak times. Factors like the weather also affect my ability and desire to ride.

Walking It
Walking is relaxing and fun, but it takes more time than the other forms of transport and at night I'm reluctant to walk by myself. From my current home, it takes over 2 hours to walk into the CBD!

The purpose of this blog is to open discussion for our experiences with alternative forms of transport in Bundaberg. What are the pros and cons of our current public transport systems? What would make public transport an option for you? How are you currently being affected by rising petrol prices and how are you planning to deal with further rises?

My longer-term plan is to move closer to town, either in south Bundaberg or somewhere roughly between the CBD and Sugarland. From there, everything is walkable, rideable or bus-able. If we take the bus more, it will become viable for our local bus companies to expand their routes and timetable, right? It would also be useful information for them to receive feedback about their current routes and timetable and to know what further services we, the public want and need.

Survey
Here is a proposed survey: please take the time to complete it and if you feel comfortable, ask your workmates, family and friends, or even people at the bus stop! Please also relate your ideas and suggestions for the future of alternative transport in Bundaberg. Email the results to jacqui@sustainabundy.org or reply to this thread.

Alternative Transport Survey
What form of transport do you mainly use around Bundaberg?
How are you affected by rising petrol prices?
How are you planning to deal with further price rises?
Do you ever take the bus?
If so, why? If not, why not?
Do you ever ride a bicycle?
Would you consider riding a bicycle around town?
If not, why not?
What are the pros and cons of riding around Bundaberg?

At the Bus Stop
Do you find the bus routes and timetable effective for you now?
What area/s do you usually go from/to?
What time do you usually need to go into town?
What time do you usually need to leave town?
How could the bus system be more convenient or useable for you?