ACT Government release light rail project delivery report
The ACT Government released the Project Delivery report for Civic to Gungahlin light rail today. You can download a copy of the report from the PTCBR website.
Network 19, light rail, buses and the winners and losers
In its first week light rail from Gungahlin carried over 100,000 passengers and proved to be the success that its supporters knew it would be. On Monday, the ACT receives its second major public transport shakeup with Network 19. Integrating light rail, a record nine rapid bus routes, and more frequent local buses, the aim is to increase local connections to rapid routes, and increase the frequency. Although the radical Network 19 changes will prove beneficial, there will be many short term issues as passengers start using it, and locating the new bus stops they may have to walk further to use. Not everyone benefits, and indeed some people lose out.
Federal Election 2019 – ACT Candidate positions on Transport, Planning and Infrastructure policy
The PTCBR have emailed all candidates for the House of Representatives and the Senate, running in the ACT at the 2019 election, seeking their views on transport planning and infrastructure, and asking if they will work to obtain funding to put towards light rail and other public transport programs. Any candidate that responds will have their answers placed here, and promoted on our Facebook group, and shared among our members. The PTCBR is an apolitical organisation, but all PTCBR members are entitled to vote based on the issues that matter to them, and after making an informed decision.
Canberra light rail starts carrying the public on a preview and launch day
On 18 April 2019 light rail began carrying members of the Canberra public along light rail stage one from Gungahlin to Civic. This ‘soft launch’ was also to be a test ahead of the official opening to the public on 20 April. The excited passengers waited at each of the three major stops, boarded and set out for the first trip! Some stayed to observe the political events, but most went excitedly about the rest of their day, after being lucky enough to be on the very first trip on Canberra’s brand new light rail. Several PTCBR members attended and were fortunate to be invited to the launch and the lunch. This post has lots of photos of the days events, and a few links to local media coverage.
What a ride! 25,000 people travel on light rail’s first official day
Canberra was abuzz with excitement as light rail officially launched today with approximately 25,000 people hopping on board for a free ride. The formal event wrapped up at 4pm, but services will continue to operate to timetable, so the total number of passengers on launch day will continue to grow. Ten vehicles were deployed on the day, running 130 trips and covering 1,560 kilometres.