Weekly transport costs for the average Australian metropolitan household topped $ 400 per week for the first time.

Cutting-edge auto body study says regional areas were hit in the hip pocket as well, with the average Australian household paying $ 367.63 per week or 14.8% of their income on transport costs – up nearly $ 60 from last year.

The latest Affordability Index from the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) shows the cost of transportation has increased in all states and territories, with households in the capital spending an average of $ 401.86 per week or 15.5% of their income and $ 328.51 (14%) for seven days in regional centers.

AAA says there are concerns that rising fuel prices could explode costs even more with their survey showing Australian motorists are likely to be driving for both work and vacation in the coming months so as COVID-19 restrictions relax.

“Rising fuel prices are contributing significantly to rising costs in regional and metropolitan Australia,” said Michael Bradley, AAA Managing Director.

“With a federal and two state elections slated for next year, this report is a timely reminder that pressures on the cost of living are increasing and that policies that further increase transportation costs should be avoided.”

Fuel prices were the main contributor to the increase in transportation costs with an average of $ 77.57 spent per week by households in capital cities (up $ 5.38 in the last quarter alone) and $ 79.26 per week in regional centers (up $ 5.16).

Tolls and maintenance have also been factors, while transportation taxes – including excise duties on fuel, registration, compulsory liability insurance, and licenses – cost households $ 1,579 (up of $ 21 in the last quarter) per year in the capital cities and $ 1,503 (up $ 20) in the regional centers.

Sydney is still the most expensive capital with households spending $ 477.56 per month on transport ahead of Melbourne ($ 446.97), Brisbane ($ 444.05), Perth ($ 390.45), Canberra (386, $ 38), Adelaide ($ 362.36), Darwin ($ 356.96) and Hobart ($ 350.14).

In regional areas of the state, the most expensive households were in Bunbury, WA ($ 348.25), Geelong ($ 343.12), Alice Springs ($ 341.87), Mount Gambier, SA (325, $ 48), Launceston ($ 321.63), Townsville ($ 309.84) and Wagga Wagga ($ 309.41.

While Hobart had the lowest total transport costs, measured as a percentage of typical household income, it was ranked as the last affordable capital.

A Hobart household spends 17.5% of its income on transport per week, just ahead of Brisbane (17.3%), Melbourne (16.4%), Sydney (15.5%), Darwin (15.2%) , Perth (14.4%) percent), Adelaide (14.3 percent) and Canberra (13.7 percent).

In regional centers, Launceston (17.8% of income spent on transport) was the least affordable ahead of Alice Springs (15.5%), Mount Gambier (14.4%), Bunbury (13.9%), Geelong (13%). , Townsville (12.6%) and Wagga Wagga (11%).