Public and Active Transport

Austroads has established a Public and Active Transport Task Force to strengthen collaboration and support better public transport, walking and cycling outcomes across Australia and New Zealand.

Approved by the Austroads Board as a two year pilot, the Task Force brings together Austroads member agencies and the Public Transport Authorities Australia and New Zealand (PTAANZ). It reflects the growing importance of public and active transport in delivering safer, more sustainable and better connected communities.

The Task Force held its first meeting on 2 April 2026.

Why the Task Force was established

Governments across Australia and New Zealand are seeking to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower carbon emissions and provide people with a wider range of transport options. Public and active transport play a critical role in achieving these outcomes, contributing to safer streets, improved health, lower emissions and more equitable access to jobs, education and services.

At the same time, transport agencies are managing increasingly complex systems where walking, cycling, public transport, private vehicles and emerging mobility options all interact within constrained networks.

The Public and Active Transport Task Force was established to support a more coordinated and nationally consistent approach to these challenges, and to strengthen alignment between public transport, active transport and wider transport system priorities.

What the Task Force will do

The Task Force will promote and oversee projects that improve how public and active transport is:

• planned
• delivered
• operated
• integrated with land use and broader transport systems

It will also provide a coordinated national forum within Austroads to elevate public and active transport considerations across policy development, research and guidance.

During its pilot phase, the Task Force is expected to:

• support projects that deliver better public transport, walking and cycling outcomes
• strengthen links between public and active transport and broader transport system priorities
• improve national collaboration, capability and alignment across jurisdictions

Building on existing strengths

The Task Force builds on the strong foundations established by organisations such as Cycling and Walking Australia and New Zealand (CWANZ) and Public Transport Authorities Australia and New Zealand (PTAANZ).

By bringing these perspectives together within Austroads’ formal governance structures, the Task Force helps ensure public and active transport considerations are embedded across Austroads’ work program and decision making.

The Task Force operates within Austroads’ Transport Network Operations program.

Supporting practical, nationally consistent guidance

Public and active transport are integral to how transport networks function and how people experience them. Most journeys involve walking, and public transport plays a key role in providing mobility, choice and access across communities.

The Task Force supports Austroads’ ability to deliver practical, nationally consistent guidance that reflects the needs of all transport users and supports safer, healthier and more sustainable mobility.

It will also address complex issues facing transport agencies, including:

• planning for the needs of diverse transport users
• balancing competing priorities within transport networks
• working effectively with a broad range of stakeholders

The Task Force will build on recent Austroads research and guidance, including work focused on walking, cycling and access to public transport, to deliver insights that are practical and ready to apply.

What’s next

As a pilot initiative, the Task Force’s scope, terms of reference and ongoing role will continue to be refined in consultation with Austroads member agencies and key stakeholders.

Further updates will be provided as the work of the Austroads Public and Active Transport Task Force progresses.

Future projects and reports will be shared on this webpage as soon as they are made available.

Stay up to date

To stay up to date with the latest public and active transport news from Austroads, create a free profile or sign in to your account on the Austroads website and select to receive news alerts for Active Travel and Network.

You can also view a list of ready-to-use resources to support walking, cycling, micromobility and public transport across Australia and New Zealand.