Environmental sustainability

Transport for NSW is committed to being a leader in environmental and sustainability performance. It seeks to minimise the environmental impacts of our transport system across all stages of the asset lifecycle, and to identify innovative ways to assess and realise the environmental and social benefits of our Transport networks.

Walking, cycling and public transport lower environmental impacts

Transport for NSW has a significant role in contributing to a more environmentally sustainable community. It does this by providing travel that is more effective in moving large numbers of people, compared with private car use and by encouraging a mode shift to walking cycling and public transport, which are some of the lowest producers of greenhouse gas per person per kilometre.

To encourage more people out of their cars we need to continue to make walking, cycling and public transport more attractive options. This will involve designing infrastructure that is safe and better caters to customers’ needs, and ensuring fast and frequent connections to the places people want to go. Initiatives, such as the zero emissions bus trial, will ensure our future carbon footprint is minimised.

We are already working with local governments and other stakeholders to develop a safe, connected metropolitan bicycle network of around 6,000 kilometres of cycling routes across Greater Sydney, Newcastle, Gosford and Wollongong.

Transport for NSW aims to increase the mode share of public transport services and reduce the use of single-occupancy vehicles. This includes the Travel Choices Program and travel demand management measures. Apart from reducing emissions through more efficient shared vehicles, this will also have a positive impact on congestion.

Increasing the mode share of walking and cycling for short trips will deliver substantial emissions reduction, while alleviating pressure on the road network and reducing congestion. Travelling by bicycle can also be faster than car or public transport for trips up to five kilometres. The use of electric bikes could further increase the distances and speeds that could be comfortably cycled.

New and emerging service models, such as mobility as a service, carsharing, ridesharing, on-demand services, and connected and automated shuttle services, are effective in moving people from private, single-occupancy car use to shared transport modes. At the same time, these services can help reduce the need for private car ownership, and discourage driving for trips that could easily be avoided or replaced with walking or cycling. 

Find out more about how we are addressing the environmental sustainability of the transport system to minimise direct and indirect impacts on the natural environment and communities as part of our Future Transport Strategy.