ABSTRACT

This chapter draws on the empirical research to a conclusion by turning to the way in which those involved in transport policy and planning construe transport problems and solutions. The majority of statements were taken from policy documents and annual reports, and represented lines of argument that were used to justify investment in transport infrastructure, in particular to rationalize the balance between investment in road and public transport infrastructure. The most strongly supported storylines in the published policy discourse around public transport were framed under the Economist's Tale. There is a constant discussion among policy shapers and planners in Australia as to whether land use planning should lead in the shaping of the city, or whether transport infrastructure should shape the city. A set of statements was used to explore the extent to which different elements of sustainable transport were accepted by policy shapers. Comparing the top storylines of roads-based interviewees with public-transport based interviewees highlights an interesting pattern.