Perth households are spending almost $18,000 a year to travel around the city.

Perth families pay $18,000 a year to traverse city

Kent AcottPerthNow

PERTH households spend almost $18,000 every year travelling around the city — with the cost jumping nearly $25 each month.

Australian Automobile Association figures show that the cost to own and run a car or catch public transport in Perth jumped 7.5 per cent in 2017-18, from $16,404 to $17,642.

The cost equates to about $340 a week or about 13.5 per cent of an average household income.

AAA chief executive Michael Bradley said transport costs across Australia were continuing to increase.

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“At a time when the rising cost of living is hurting many Australians, transport costs are rising faster than the general level of inflation,” he said.

“For the second quarter in a row, transport costs rose in every city and region. Transport is a significant and unavoidable cost for households.

“Governments at all levels must consider these growing transport cost pressures when formulating policy.”

The jump in WA transport costs was largely due to petrol prices rises. In the three months to the end of June, petrol jumped $4.36 a week.

There was some good news. Car loan payments fell $97 over a full year and there were small savings in servicing and tyres and comprehensive insurance.

The report found Perth families spent $59.40 on public transport each week, $34.61 on car registration and licensing and $31.84 on servicing and tyres.

RAC general manager corporate affairs Will Golsby said the report showed that Perth transport costs had jumped $116 in the three months to the end of June.

“Perth was the cheapest in the country for comprehensive car insurance but is only 9¢ away from overtaking Sydney as the most expensive capital city for public transport,” he said.

“Despite a minor reduction in new car running expenses, transport costs have been on the rise for several years and households are continuing to pay more to register their vehicle, renew their driver’s licence and to use public transport. More work is needed to ensure WA households are not continually hit with cost increases.”

Bunbury is Australia’s most expensive regional city for transport costs at $15,495.53.

The AAA report found residents in Sydney and Melbourne spend 15.37 per cent and 15.38 per cent respectively of their wages on transport costs.