our capital cities, public transport is still used by a significant proportion of the population for certain kinds of trips. The ABS didn't ask what they use public transport for or where they were going, but we can be confident many commute regularly to work, mostly in the city centre. The figures indicate daily commuters aren't the majority, though. Most adults who travel by public transport use it for non-work trips. I expect most of it is trips to the centre or nearby -- for example, to go to nightclubs, concerts, football matches, galleries, universities and restaurants. They use public transport for good reason. Consider that nowadays the only AFL matches in Melbourne are played either at the MCG or Etihad Stadium in Docklands * . Around 80% of MCG patrons arrive and leave by public transport and I expect it's similar, perhaps higher, at Etihad. These patrons don't leave their cars at home because they don't like driving. They do it because traffic congestion, high parking costs and good match-day train and tram services make public transport a more attractive option than cars. Drink driving laws probably help too, but the point is public transport is most times the better way to get to activities in the centre. Indeed, it's often the only realistic option, even at night and on weekends. The CBD and near-CBD are extremely important locations in Australian cities. Government planning policy in Victoria -- which reinforces the primacy of the centre -- is making the