Few activities that bead our everyday lives have earned such dubious notoriety as commuting. That the words “hell” and “nightmare” are sometimes invoked to describe journeys to and from work indicates just how disparaged this part of our lives often is. The commute has often been depicted in dystopian terms, standing for all that is stressful and wearying about our contemporary daily routines.

The Myki smart card system used by Victorians for accessing public transport is getting dragged into the 21st century. A trial is about to commence that will allow passengers to touch on and off from trains, busses and trams using their smartphone. However, as Apple doesn't yet allow developers to use the NFC radio in iPhones, the trial will be limited to Android devices.

In an Australian first, Sydney commuters will now be able to see which train carriages are packed like sardines and which are empty (like my soul during a morning commute). The data is now available to a wide range of transport apps including TripView, NextThere and more - but which ones should you be using?

Public transport users know the pain. You get to the station, stand in your usual spot on the platform and when the train rolls in, there aren't any seats in the carriages close to you. But by using some sensors that weigh the carriages, Sydney trains will be able to let you know which carriages have the fewest people, helping you find a seat for the long commute.

Earlier in the month, Sydney Trains workers announced they were going on a 24-hour strike following a breakdown in negotiations between the train union and rail management. This would have caused mass delays across the city's entire train and tram networks between January 29 and January 30.

For those who missed the memo, the planned strike was blocked by the Fair Work Commission last Thursday. So does this mean it's business as usual? Well, not necessarily.

Since Christmas Eve, Charlie’s* only had five days off of work.

For eight years, he’s been dedicated to his job. He loves his job. It’s challenging and mentally demanding but Charlie knows it inside out. Yet lately, excessive overtime and an increased workload has left him feeling dispirited and disillusioned.

Charlie is a Sydney Train Driver and he’s exhausted.

Sydney Trains are under siege. A new timetable coupled with understaffing issues has already resulted in a Nightmare Scenario where peak hour services are being cancelled and commuters left stranded. The drivers are overworked and exhausted and commuters are angry. With the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) announcing they will be taking industrial action from Friday, January 19, the problems are likely to get worse before they get any better.

The 2016 Australian Commuting Survey explores how we travel to and from work and the various ways it affects us. This infographic breaks down the chief findings - including our #1 pet peeve while driving and using public transport.

You could be walking down a city street, taking a stroll at your local park, or begrudgingly commuting to your grandparent’s place on the off chance you’ll be rewarded with cash. You’re vulnerable. You’re socially naked. You’re a lone gazelle waiting to be devoured by an overly outgoing lion.

So how do you avoid becoming the unwilling target of a stranger’s attention?

Uber? Cabs? Train? Pickups aren't always an option, either. So to streamline your next trip, we've researched the cheapest ways to get from the runway to the CBD at each Australian state capital airport. Here's what you need to know.

Well, we knew it was coming. From today, the free weekend travel bonus for weekly commuters has been quietly scrapped in NSW. Instead, you will now need to pay half-price after completing eight trips. In addition, single trip tickets have also been increased. Transport NSW is calling the fare hike "fairer" -- but depending on where you live, you could be worse off by hundreds of dollars a year.

From August 1, the vast majority of paper tickets will no longer be available for users of public transport in NSW. Instead, all commuters will be forced to use the Opal e-card system for most train, bus and ferry rides. This includes trips to the airport. Here is the full list of every ticket type that is being "retired" in favour of Opal cards.

The news that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is pushing ahead with plans for a High-Speed Rail (HSR) network on the east coast has been met with indifference by many in the country. With the enormous costs involved in such a venture might an eccentric, genius entrepreneur already have proposed a better solution than the long touted HSR route?

Melbournites will soon be able to use Google Maps to plan a public transport journey across the city. This is something that pretty much every other public transport system in Australia has provided for years, including Tasmania. Better late than never.

When you travel, you often have many options for getting around. Public transport is the best way to save money and expose yourself to the local lifestyle, but it can be tricky to navigate foreign transport systems. Here is what you can do before and during your trip to make it a little easier.

Australia's public transport authorities have announced a spate of fare changes for 2015. While some states received the expected fare hike, others have frozen or decreased their prices. Read on to find out how much you'll be losing -- or saving.

New Year's Eve is a time for gathering together in large crowds for fireworks, parties and general merriment. The best way to manage that is undoubtedly public transport. We've gathered up your options for getting there and back for major Australian cities.

Finding time to exercise is tough. You can squeeze in some extra calorie burning by skipping the car and taking public transport instead. It isn't the same as going for a run, but a recent study suggests taking the bus or train could still make a difference.

Almost every Australian capital city now uses travel smart cards as its main ticketing method. Looking to save money while using one of these cards? Check out these tips.