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The Work Transit Alliance
Making it easier to get to work
The Work Transit Alliance (WTA) is a cross-regional partnership working to remove transport barriers that prevent people from accessing jobs, training and education. By bringing together communities, employers, service providers and government across the Illawarra South Coast, Capital Region and Murray Riverina, WTA develops practical, coordinated solutions that connect more people with opportunity.
HISTORY
WTA was established as an Incorporated Association in 2025 by the Illawarra South Coast, Capital Region and Murray Riverina Local Jobs Programs. It grew from a shared recognition that limited or unreliable transport prevents many people across regional NSW from reaching work, training and education. By working across regional boundaries, WTA is turning shared challenges and local knowledge into coordinated action.
OBJECTIVES
WTA aims to reduce transport-related barriers to employment and strengthen workforce participation across regional communities. We bring together evidence, local experience and cross-sector expertise to develop practical solutions that can be tested locally, expanded across regions and sustained over time.
Our work focuses on improving access to driver licensing, building transport confidence and capability, connecting people with existing services, trialling new transport options and supporting improvements to public transport.
GOVERNANCE
WTA is a collaboration between the Illawarra South Coast, Capital Region and Murray Riverina Local Jobs Programs. Its work is supported by an Advisory Group comprising representatives from industry, government, training, employment services and community organisations. This structure ensures that WTA’s priorities are evidence-based, regionally relevant and informed by the people and organisations closest to the challenges.
The Evidence
The Sparrowly Research
In 2025, WTA commissioned Sparrowly Group to investigate transport-related barriers to employment across the Illawarra South Coast, Capital Region and Murray Riverina. The research combined demographic and labour-market analysis, transport-access mapping and consultation with more than 500 jobseekers, workers, employers and service providers.
The resulting report provides a cross-regional evidence base for understanding how driver licensing, vehicle access and public transport affect workforce participation. Its findings and practical recommendations are guiding WTA’s initiatives, advocacy and future planning.
Watch the webinar to hear the findings directly from the researchers and learn how WTA is translating the evidence into action.
WTA Initiatives
2026: From Research to Action
In 2026, WTA is moving from research into practical delivery. Our initial initiatives include free Driving Simulator sessions to help people build confidence before driving on the road, Vehicle Maintenance Courses that develop essential car-care knowledge, and a Transport Access Pilot testing new ways to connect people with employment and training.
Each initiative responds to barriers identified through WTA’s research and stakeholder engagement. Together, they will help us understand what works, for whom and under what conditions—creating a foundation for future investment and expansion.
Explore Driving Simulators
Explore Vehicle Maintenance Courses
Explore the Transport Access Pilot
2027: Expanding What Works
In 2027, WTA plans to build on the lessons and results of its first year of delivery. This will include further development of the Transport Access Pilot, alongside work with communities, employers and government to identify and advocate for practical public transport improvements.
The focus will be on expanding effective solutions, filling service gaps and creating stronger connections between where people live and where employment and training opportunities are located.
Driving Simulators
About
WTA’s Driving Simulators provide a safe, supervised environment in which learner drivers can become familiar with driving before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Participants can practise at their own pace, experience everyday driving situations and build confidence without the pressure of being on the road.
Sessions are free and are suitable for learner drivers, people preparing to begin the licensing process and anyone wanting to rebuild their driving confidence. Simulator sessions complement—but do not replace—professional instruction and supervised on-road driving.
Locations
Driving Simulator sessions will be offered at selected locations across WTA’s regions. Choose your preferred location when booking to view current dates and availability.
Book
Ready to get behind the wheel? Select a location, date and available session time using our online booking form.
Vehicle Maintenance Courses
About
WTA’s Vehicle Maintenance Courses provide practical, easy-to-understand information about looking after a vehicle. Participants learn essential skills such as carrying out basic safety checks, understanding warning lights, monitoring tyres and fluids, preparing for servicing and recognising when professional assistance is needed.
The courses are designed to help new and existing drivers feel more confident, make informed decisions and keep their vehicles safe and reliable. No previous mechanical knowledge is required.
Locations
Courses will be delivered from late 2026 at selected locations across WTA’s regions. View the booking page for upcoming dates, locations and availability.
Book
Course details and bookings will be available from late 2026.
Transport Access Pilot
About
The Transport Access Pilot will trial locally designed bus services that help people travel to and from work where existing transport options do not align with workplace locations or shift times. It brings together two related approaches:
Worker Bus Trials, developed around the needs of specific employers and their workforces, and
Community Bus Trials, which explore how underused community vehicles could provide practical transport to employment.
Each trial will be designed with local employers, community organisations, transport operators and potential passengers. Different models may test central pickup points or broader routes, single or multiple employers, community or commercial buses, and contributions from employers, passengers and government.
WTA will begin with a small number of achievable trials from late 2026, allowing demand to develop and services to be refined before considering expansion. The goal is to identify models that meet genuine local needs and can remain viable beyond the initial pilot period.
Locations
Initial pilot development is underway in several communities:
Bega: Exploring a limited service linked to major shift-work employers, including health, aged care and food manufacturing workplaces.
Griffith: Exploring an employer-linked service for an early day shift, using a small number of central pickup points.
Narooma and Moruya: Supporting Narooma Rotary to test a model for utilising a club bus to transport students from Narooma to Moruya TAFE and back again each day.
Nowra: Investigating how emerging transport services associated with the new hospital could support workers and potentially connect with employment areas in South Nowra.
Wagga Wagga: Considering a service between central Wagga Wagga and industrial employers, including the use of an existing club bus.
Goulburn: Exploring opportunities with major local employers and assessing suitable routes, shift times and employer support, with the use of a community bus.
These locations are at different stages of development and do not yet have fixed commencement dates. Services will proceed where there is a demonstrated need, committed local partners and a workable delivery model.
Get Involved
Successful trials depend on local knowledge and participation. WTA wants to hear from employers whose staff experience transport difficulties, community organisations with vehicles or operational expertise, transport providers, employment and training services, and people who need a more reliable way to reach work.
If you would like to help shape a local trial, offer a potential transport resource or register interest as an employer or passenger, please contact WTA.
Driver Licensing Support
The Work Transit Alliance supports a Driver Training and Mentoring Stakeholder Group which brings together organisations working to improve access to driver licensing support across multiple regions.
The group’s focus includes identifying barriers to obtaining a licence, sharing knowledge and good practice, strengthening referral pathways, and exploring opportunities for coordinated action.
Membership includes driver training and mentoring organisations, community services and other relevant stakeholders. This extends to providers of the Driver Licensing Access Program (DLAP), who participate as independent service providers.