Our Urban Mobility Trends reports track people’s transport habits and preferences, as well as related factors such as their concern about congestion and transport costs – allowing us to observe trends over time. We share our findings with government and industry to contribute to transport planning and policy development.
August 2025
Urban Mobility Trends Our annual Urban Mobility Trends reports track people's transport habits and preferences – allowing us to observe trends over time.
How people get around
Top reasons for using toll roads in Australia
Research • Online survey conducted between 30 May and 13 June 2025 • 3,017 respondents, aged 18+ with a drivers licence from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney
drive every day 53%
Saves time Most direct route Less traffic
62%
new vehicles sold in 2024 (Australia) 1 +1.2M average spend on tolls per week 2 <$10
48%
27%
Q. Why do you use toll roads? Please select all that apply.
How people travel for work and study
Frequency of toll road use
Sydney
Melbourne Brisbane
average number of days people travel to their workplace
3.9
Commuter Once a day or more Frequent Once a week or more Intermittent Once a year or more Infrequent Once a month or more
4%
3%
3%
29%
24%
20%
expect the number of days at their workplace to increase over the next year
19%
20%
20%
24%
27%
24%
41%
Non-user Less than once a year or never
21%
28%
13%
use their car to
get to work 61%
Q. How often do you travel on any road, bridge, or tunnel you must pay to use, otherwise known as a toll road?
Ability to adjust work hours to avoid peak hour Sydney
Reasons for travelling during peak hour
Sydney
Melbourne Brisbane
I don’t mind/prefer travelling during peak hour
41%
48%
45%
57%
Yes No
Flexible start/end times are allowed, but not encouraged in my workplace
36%
32%
26%
43%
Other obligations require me to travel during peak I find it easier to travel during peak/rush hour
26%
24%
22%
Melbourne
16%
13%
14%
54%
Yes No
Q. Which of the following are reasons why you don’t/can’t avoid travelling during peak hour more often? Please select all that apply.
46%
Congestion concern
Brisbane
70%
are concerned about traffic congestion
51%
Yes No
49%
are concerned about potential congestion in a decade 77% Australia’s population in a decade, 3 a 14% increase 31.5m
Q. If your job or shift requires you to commute during peak hour travel times, are you able to adjust your work start and end times?
This publication is for information purposes only and is based on information available at the time of publication. Transurban makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of this information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Transurban does not accept any responsibility or liability (including, without limitation, for negligence) for any loss arising from or in connection with the use of, or reliance on, this publication or its contents (including any omissions). Forecasts or projections are based on assumptions and estimates that are subject to change and beyond Transurban’s control. Actual outcomes may differ materially. This publication contains information derived from third party sources that have not been independently verified.
transurban.com
1 Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, January 2025 2 ~77% of Transurban’s Australian retail customers spend on average less than $10 per week on tolls 3 Deloitte Access Economics (DAE), September 2024
Urban Mobility Trends
What’s impacting people’s budgets What's affecting people's budgets 2025
2024
Groceries
58%
62%
Electricity
44%
45%
Insurance premiums
40%
37%
Petrol
38%
51%
Mortgage repayments
29%
32%
Rent
25%
27%
Council rates
25%
23%
Vehicle registration
22%
19%
Medical bills
19%
18%
Vehicle maintenance
19%
18%
Gas (for heating or cooking)
13%
14%
Phone / internet
11%
10%
Medication
8%
8%
Public transport fares
8%
9%
School fees
7%
7%
Tolls
6%
7%
Childcare
5%
4%
Parking
5%
4%
Vehicle repayments
4%
4%
Electric vehicle road user charges 1%
1%
Q. Which expenses are you most concerned about? By concerned we mean the expenses you worry about with increases in cost and your ability to manage those increases in your budget. Please select up to five expenses. Q. Which expenses are you most concerned about? By concerned we mean the expenses you worry about with increases in cost and your ability to manage those increases in your budget. Please select up to five expenses.
Ways to save
Everyday decisions
Bigger decisions
delaying large purchases (e.g. upgrading car)
87%
62% 62%
eating out less / less takeaway
switching energy providers/ phone/internet plans cancelling subscriptions or memberships
avoiding non-essential purchases (e.g. clothing, homewares)
85%
shopping for cheaper, generic brands/products
84%
59%
automating your savings (e.g. splitting pay into savings and spending accounts)
83%
58%
following a planned budget
Doing fewer ‘experiences’ (e.g. cinema, galleries, concerts)
switching/cancelling insurance policies (e.g. health)
81%
51%
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