While PTCBR is interested in all things related to public transport, these are some of the issues we’re advocating for right now:
Extending light rail to Woden
This is the second stage of Canberra’s light rail network, extending from the current Alinga Street terminus to Woden Town Centre. It is being delivered in two stages:
- Stage 2A, from Alinga Street to Commonwealth Park
- Stage 2B from Commonwealth Park, over Commonwealth Bridge to Woden Town Centre.
PTCBR strongly supports the extension of the light rail network, but work is slower than we’d like. Construction has recently started on the Raising London Circuit project, which is a necessary step to get light rail tracks down Commonwealth Avenue. But there are still no contracts or works approvals to begin construction for Stage 2A, so it is unclear when work on the light rail project will actually begin.
We are urging the ACT Government to keep focussed on delivering this city-defining project.
Read more: MEDIA RELEASE – Auditor-General’s report reinforces need to deliver light rail to Woden.
Restoring the full timetable and weekend services
PTCBR has been calling on the government to restore the timetables they promised us when the new seven-day bus network began in 2019. Unfortunately, the timetable has been cut back twice now:
- Most local weekend services only run every 2 hours, as Transport Canberra hasn’t been able to find enough weekend drivers.
- On weekdays, there is a reduced COVID-19 timetable, with fewer peak and rapid services, as illnesses and staff shortages make it difficult to reliably deliver the full set of services.
Read more: Why PTCBR is campaigning to bring back the regular timetable.
The ACT Government recently announced that a revised timetable will begin in the 2023 school year, fully using Transport Canberra’s buses and drivers. We’re told this will see increased frequencies on a number of services. While this doesn’t seem to solve the weekend services problem, it is a step in the right direction
Read more: 2023 timetable is promising, but frequent services will be the key.