Petrol prices are rising, but Australians don’t appear to be driving less or taking public transport more – yet

NSW weekly traffic data shows little change on Parramatta Road, a major arterial route in Sydney. Photograph: Kokkai Ng/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Australians appear to have kept driving despite soaring petrol prices, as calls grow for free or discounted public transport to help people save fuel and get off the road.

Traffic and public transport usage is holding steady, with experts warning the country needs to change travel methods or start working from home if fuel costs keep rising.