Note; this is work in progress with ongoing updates, additions and amendments likely
All over the world cities typically adopt other cities as "sister cities" - often quite exotic or different places, and often cities much bigger or smaller than themselves.
The various cities listed below have a population ranging from half that of greater Christchurch (200,000) through to having a population twice that of greater Christchurch (800,000).
All over the world cities typically adopt other cities as "sister cities" - often quite exotic or different places, and often cities much bigger or smaller than themselves.
That's ok from a tourist and goodwill orientation, but real family members tend to be a bit more similar in nature - in this case cities of kindred size and spirit.
To get a better sense of where Christchurch stands in public transport - what is realistic for a city of our size and nature, what we are doing well or not doing well compared to similar cities elsewhere in NZ and overseas NZ in Tranzit blog identifies and follows transit developments worldwise with a particular focus on cities seen as our "true sister sisters".
I Lookied for cities that share common demographics [i.e. pertinent to public transport usage, such as general affluence, ownership of motor vehicles, public ownership of utilities etc] with Christchurch NZ in Tranzit identifies the smaller cities of Canada, Australia and New Zealand (CANZ).
To get a better sense of where Christchurch stands in public transport - what is realistic for a city of our size and nature, what we are doing well or not doing well compared to similar cities elsewhere in NZ and overseas NZ in Tranzit blog identifies and follows transit developments worldwise with a particular focus on cities seen as our "true sister sisters".
I Lookied for cities that share common demographics [i.e. pertinent to public transport usage, such as general affluence, ownership of motor vehicles, public ownership of utilities etc] with Christchurch NZ in Tranzit identifies the smaller cities of Canada, Australia and New Zealand (CANZ).
The various cities listed below have a population ranging from half that of greater Christchurch (200,000) through to having a population twice that of greater Christchurch (800,000).
Twenty five in all are seen as relevant .
These are listed in ascending size below. Noted that public transport is fairly closely linked to population size, growing exponentially as cities grow. This said, levels of investment or intelligently planning and promotion can increase or decrease trips per capita.
The population figures below are from the last census, held in all three countries in 2006 [some updated to 2016 ], and in every case are for metropolitan area - easy commuting distance - rather than just the named city administration.
Many cities consist of several municipal bodies with local body amalgamation usually less advanced outside NZ (an extreme case Edmonton Canada - too big for the list here - has 25 municipal authorities within its greater urban area!).
The "real city", especially in regard to public transport matters, is almost always the population of the whole metropolitan area (what I call the metropop).
These CANZ cities are similar in having four crucial factors that need to be incorporated in public transport viability.
(a) low density residential patterns with extensive sprawl
(b) low national populations per country size (ie taxpayer base per infrastructure cost)
(c) relatively high incomes and relatively high levels of car ownership
also, albeit slightly more diverse (d) similar levels of investment in public transport by Government and local authorities. (albeit Canada is probably largest proportionately).
In a larger picture, about 70 smaller cities of the United States might have also been included ("CANZUS"). However outside the major cities with rail and subway systems investment in public transport in the United States is much lower than in CANZ. Things may change with Obama but generally service quality is often poor, infrequent or limited in hours. The prevailing attitude that public transport seems to be a sort of subsidized social welfare system only for the poor isfar more entrenched than in CANZ [as a cross border survey done with Canada revealed]
This said the western, northwestern states in the US appear to be closer to NZ or Canada in attitude and style; the southwest and southern states less so. Patronage of even the best US systems (and there are some very innovative top quality small city services) rarely achieves figures of over 10 million passenger trips per year.
These are listed in ascending size below. Noted that public transport is fairly closely linked to population size, growing exponentially as cities grow. This said, levels of investment or intelligently planning and promotion can increase or decrease trips per capita.
The population figures below are from the last census, held in all three countries in 2006 [some updated to 2016 ], and in every case are for metropolitan area - easy commuting distance - rather than just the named city administration.
Many cities consist of several municipal bodies with local body amalgamation usually less advanced outside NZ (an extreme case Edmonton Canada - too big for the list here - has 25 municipal authorities within its greater urban area!).
The "real city", especially in regard to public transport matters, is almost always the population of the whole metropolitan area (what I call the metropop).
These CANZ cities are similar in having four crucial factors that need to be incorporated in public transport viability.
(a) low density residential patterns with extensive sprawl
(b) low national populations per country size (ie taxpayer base per infrastructure cost)
(c) relatively high incomes and relatively high levels of car ownership
also, albeit slightly more diverse (d) similar levels of investment in public transport by Government and local authorities. (albeit Canada is probably largest proportionately).
In a larger picture, about 70 smaller cities of the United States might have also been included ("CANZUS"). However outside the major cities with rail and subway systems investment in public transport in the United States is much lower than in CANZ. Things may change with Obama but generally service quality is often poor, infrequent or limited in hours. The prevailing attitude that public transport seems to be a sort of subsidized social welfare system only for the poor isfar more entrenched than in CANZ [as a cross border survey done with Canada revealed]
This said the western, northwestern states in the US appear to be closer to NZ or Canada in attitude and style; the southwest and southern states less so. Patronage of even the best US systems (and there are some very innovative top quality small city services) rarely achieves figures of over 10 million passenger trips per year.
It is also rare for transit systems in the USA to recover more than 20% of their costs through fares, whereas 50% is seen as an ideal benchmark in CANZ.
A further blow to USA transit systems has been the loss of income, with many systems dependent on local sales or fuel taxes, which have dropped with the recession. This has led to cutbacks even in systems that are innovative successfully growing increased patronage. One can only feel the greatest sympathy for the staff and planners and administrators in this situation.
This list has figures as recent as possible, but a few from as far back as 2006 onwards. While these give an indicative picture, some allowance must be made for increased or decreased population or passenger trips per year. It is the intention to update figures as new ones come to hand, and to create pen portraits of each system, over time.
2022 NOTE - I am updating these to 2017 or at least 2016 figures, but retaining the older stats, to highlight whether ridership growth has grown or declined or stayed static. Also I have added the word Contingent to those cities essentially part of an extended metropolitan area of a larger city, rather than "stand alone" regional centres. (as one might classify Hutt city in Wellington area).
This list has figures as recent as possible, but a few from as far back as 2006 onwards. While these give an indicative picture, some allowance must be made for increased or decreased population or passenger trips per year. It is the intention to update figures as new ones come to hand, and to create pen portraits of each system, over time.
2022 NOTE - I am updating these to 2017 or at least 2016 figures, but retaining the older stats, to highlight whether ridership growth has grown or declined or stayed static. Also I have added the word Contingent to those cities essentially part of an extended metropolitan area of a larger city, rather than "stand alone" regional centres. (as one might classify Hutt city in Wellington area).
Where known I am also including farebox recovery (percentage of operating costs met by fares).
Annual passenger trips are in bold
1. Hobart Tasmania (includes Launceston etc) GMA 203,570 10.4 million [bus] YTD 1/7/2012
2. Wollongong New South Wales GMA 274,838 [bus, rail] 3.1 million [ bus] YTD 1/7/08 9 (The free orbital service, the "Gong" carries over 3 million passengers a year, including many students - 2017)
3. Longueil Quebec 229,330 - 30.1 million [bus] 17.2% of population commutes to nearby Montreal Contingent
4. Saskatoon Saskatchewan 233,923 - 12 million (2012) 12.29 million 2016
5. Gatineau Quebec 242,000 - 19.1 million (2008) [bus] across river from Ottawa Contingent
6. Markham Ontario 261,530 c21 million (2011) (York Region) contingent city with Toronto
7. Sunshine Coast Queensland - 312,908 An fast growing area recently consolidated into one city
8. Windsor Ontario 323,342 GMA - 6 million plus [bus] Across the river (and actually south of!) Detroit, USA
9. Victoria British Columbia GMA; 335,000 - 22.4 million (2007-08?) [bus] 26.8 million 2016/17 FY (Farebox recovery 19.7%)
10. Oshawa Ontario (2008)GMA 330,594 - 8.5 million [bus]
separate city at northern edge of greater Toronto area Contingent
11. Canberra Australian Capital Territory GMA 342,000 - 16.9 million - 2017 17.5 million
12. Halifax Nova Scotia GMA 372,679 - 22.5 million [bus & ferry]
13 Laval Quebec 376,845 18.7 million Across river from (and de facto suburb of) Montreal contingent
14. Christchurch New Zealand GMA c390,000 - 13.3 million (note 17.1 million (2008) before earthquakes destroyed a significant portion of central city area and other areas)
15. St Catharines-Niagara Ontario GMA 390,317
16. Wellington New Zealand GMA 410,000 - 35.1 million [commuter rail 11 million; cable car 1 million, bus 23 million, ferry 500,00]
17. Brampton (Peel Region) Ontario 433,806 16.3 million (2011) - contingent city to Toronto. Canada's fastest growing public transport system probably due to urban growth) It has risen from 10 million passengers in 2006
Ridership 23 million passengers in 2016
18. Kitchener (Waterloo) Ontario 451,225 - (Three adjacent cities Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge in southern Ontario are served by a regional public authority Grand River Transit) A Light rail line is under construction
Ridership "nearly 20 million" (2010/11 FY) 19.7 million at end of 2016
19. London Ontario population 457,456 - 18 million ptpy 22.9 million 2016
20. Newcastle New South Wales 493,466 (Lower Hunter Valley) 12.06 million (2010/11 financial year) also 2.7 million (2008) on commuter rail services, mainly tofro Sydney
21. Gold Coast Queensland 554,000 - 17 million (2008)
22. Mississauga Ontario (Nov 2009) GMA 668,549 - 29.1 million
23. Hamilton Ontario approx only GMA 692,911 - 27 million
24. Winnipeg Manitoba GMA 694,668 - 55.6 million (2016 48.5 million - described as the only one of the 8 major Canadian cities to see a decline in patronage)
25. Quebec City Quebec - GMA 715,515 38 million (2006)
QUICK PORTRAITS of Each City and its Transit system
(NOTE: as can be best determined from this distance! Open to added info or correction if some situation is misinterpreted) This is an ongoing project as time and information to hand makes possible.
(9) VICTORIA BC Metropop 357,000 Capital city of British Columbia, Canada. CBD at the apex of an inverted v in geographic footprint and a port and popular tourist city, notably for the liners cruising Puget Sound and the northern Pacific. The only city in North American which uses double decker buses on conventional routes. British Columbia (also home to much, much larger Vancouver, 2.1 million) has a very strong commitment to public transport and Victoria is probably the most successful small stand alone city in patronage figures in North America (22.4 million passenger trips per year ). A single railway line "the E and N" or "Malahat" line heads north up Vancouver Island carrying one mainly tourist/rural town access re trip each day, As it passes through the greater Victoria area Westshore residental areas, during its first 40 minutes, it has been mooted this section could support a commuter rail system. Not viable reported back an official study, in July 2010, which includes in depth research. It found the costs of upgrading lines, infrastructure, trains needed and operating a modest commuter rail system would be unsustainable measured against patronage likely or possible.
Larger Cities in CANZ
Of less relevance* larger cities (metropolitan area/ public transport ridership, all modes..all very approx) Note; some figures below may incorporate passenger trips per year from separately administrated but associated city figures, as above. (ptpy = xx million passenger trips per year)
Most figures from 2006-08 period, latter ones not yet available, or found)
* particularly as non-subway rail system passengers are typically more likely to transfer to or from bus than other modes, tilting unlinked trip figures upwards in larger metropoli.
Ranked by Population size
Annual passenger trips are in bold
1. Hobart Tasmania (includes Launceston etc) GMA 203,570 10.4 million [bus] YTD 1/7/2012
2. Wollongong New South Wales GMA 274,838 [bus, rail] 3.1 million [ bus] YTD 1/7/08 9 (The free orbital service, the "Gong" carries over 3 million passengers a year, including many students - 2017)
3. Longueil Quebec 229,330 - 30.1 million [bus] 17.2% of population commutes to nearby Montreal Contingent
4. Saskatoon Saskatchewan 233,923 - 12 million (2012) 12.29 million 2016
5. Gatineau Quebec 242,000 - 19.1 million (2008) [bus] across river from Ottawa Contingent
6. Markham Ontario 261,530 c21 million (2011) (York Region) contingent city with Toronto
7. Sunshine Coast Queensland - 312,908 An fast growing area recently consolidated into one city
8. Windsor Ontario 323,342 GMA - 6 million plus [bus] Across the river (and actually south of!) Detroit, USA
9. Victoria British Columbia GMA; 335,000 - 22.4 million (2007-08?) [bus] 26.8 million 2016/17 FY (Farebox recovery 19.7%)
10. Oshawa Ontario (2008)GMA 330,594 - 8.5 million [bus]
separate city at northern edge of greater Toronto area Contingent
11. Canberra Australian Capital Territory GMA 342,000 - 16.9 million - 2017 17.5 million
12. Halifax Nova Scotia GMA 372,679 - 22.5 million [bus & ferry]
13 Laval Quebec 376,845 18.7 million Across river from (and de facto suburb of) Montreal contingent
14. Christchurch New Zealand GMA c390,000 - 13.3 million (note 17.1 million (2008) before earthquakes destroyed a significant portion of central city area and other areas)
15. St Catharines-Niagara Ontario GMA 390,317
16. Wellington New Zealand GMA 410,000 - 35.1 million [commuter rail 11 million; cable car 1 million, bus 23 million, ferry 500,00]
17. Brampton (Peel Region) Ontario 433,806 16.3 million (2011) - contingent city to Toronto. Canada's fastest growing public transport system probably due to urban growth) It has risen from 10 million passengers in 2006
Ridership 23 million passengers in 2016
18. Kitchener (Waterloo) Ontario 451,225 - (Three adjacent cities Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge in southern Ontario are served by a regional public authority Grand River Transit) A Light rail line is under construction
Ridership "nearly 20 million" (2010/11 FY) 19.7 million at end of 2016
19. London Ontario population 457,456 - 18 million ptpy 22.9 million 2016
20. Newcastle New South Wales 493,466 (Lower Hunter Valley) 12.06 million (2010/11 financial year) also 2.7 million (2008) on commuter rail services, mainly tofro Sydney
21. Gold Coast Queensland 554,000 - 17 million (2008)
22. Mississauga Ontario (Nov 2009) GMA 668,549 - 29.1 million
23. Hamilton Ontario approx only GMA 692,911 - 27 million
24. Winnipeg Manitoba GMA 694,668 - 55.6 million (2016 48.5 million - described as the only one of the 8 major Canadian cities to see a decline in patronage)
25. Quebec City Quebec - GMA 715,515 38 million (2006)
QUICK PORTRAITS of Each City and its Transit system
(NOTE: as can be best determined from this distance! Open to added info or correction if some situation is misinterpreted) This is an ongoing project as time and information to hand makes possible.
(9) VICTORIA BC Metropop 357,000 Capital city of British Columbia, Canada. CBD at the apex of an inverted v in geographic footprint and a port and popular tourist city, notably for the liners cruising Puget Sound and the northern Pacific. The only city in North American which uses double decker buses on conventional routes. British Columbia (also home to much, much larger Vancouver, 2.1 million) has a very strong commitment to public transport and Victoria is probably the most successful small stand alone city in patronage figures in North America (22.4 million passenger trips per year ). A single railway line "the E and N" or "Malahat" line heads north up Vancouver Island carrying one mainly tourist/rural town access re trip each day, As it passes through the greater Victoria area Westshore residental areas, during its first 40 minutes, it has been mooted this section could support a commuter rail system. Not viable reported back an official study, in July 2010, which includes in depth research. It found the costs of upgrading lines, infrastructure, trains needed and operating a modest commuter rail system would be unsustainable measured against patronage likely or possible.
11. CANBERRA. Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Metropop 342,000. A purpose built city, founded 1907, for the various states of Australia to be able to meet in federal government on neutral ground. Public transport is owned and operated by local government under the name of ACTION Buses, apart from some regional commuter services by private operator Deane's . Service is entirely by conventional bus system, mediated through a city central and four suburban bus exchanges. Many services run only hourly or half hourly. There is one higher frequency (15 minute headway) express line REDEX - Rapid Express Direct - which has elements of Bus Rapid Transit. Plans to build a busway or light rail corridor to major outlying suburban area Belconnen was dropped, and overspending by local government lead to closing of some schools and other economies, including significant cutbacks in bus services in late 2008. This had a negative effect on patronage which is only slowly being rebuilt as some services are restored. Current proportion of peak hour journeys taken on public transport is 7% but a strategy is being implemented to bring this upto 16%.
(To be continued)
Larger Cities in CANZ
Of less relevance* larger cities (metropolitan area/ public transport ridership, all modes..all very approx) Note; some figures below may incorporate passenger trips per year from separately administrated but associated city figures, as above. (ptpy = xx million passenger trips per year)
Most figures from 2006-08 period, latter ones not yet available, or found)
* particularly as non-subway rail system passengers are typically more likely to transfer to or from bus than other modes, tilting unlinked trip figures upwards in larger metropoli.
Ranked by Population size
Toronto 5.6 million/ 430 ptpy
Sydney 4.5 million/550 ptpy (rail 302 million;
Melbourne 4 million/450 ptpy (rail 214 million; 100 by bus
Montreal; 3.8 million/447 ptpy
Vancouver 2.1 million/294 ptpy
Brisbane 2 million/135 ptpy (rail 63 million; bus and busway 72 million)
Perth 1.6million/127 ptpy (rail 54 million; bus 73 million 2008-09)
Auckland 1.4 million/64 million ptpy (2011)
Ottawa 1.3 million/118 ptpy
Adelaide 1.2 million/ ??....(11.5 ptpy on rail system)
Calgary 1.2 million/90 ptpy
Edmonton 1 million/61 ptpy
Ranked by public transport ridership
(all stats metropop area)
(all stats metropop area)
Sydney 4.5 million/550 ptpy
Melbourne 4 mllion/480 ptpy
Montreal; 3.8 million/447 ptpy
Toronto 5.6 million/ 430 ptpy
Vancouver 2.1 million/294 ptpy
Brisbane 2 million/126 ptpy
Ottawa 1.1 million/118 ptpy
Perth 1.6million/101 ptpy
Below (sorry I didn't record where this came from but the figures are reasonably recent)
Below (sorry I didn't record where this came from but the figures are reasonably recent)
