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.
The PTCBR are pleased that provision for a future light rail route has been included in the plans for two of the Molonglo Valley’s key arterial roads. Recently released design documents show a planned light rail route in the median of John Gorton Drive and Bindubi Street, with a stop servicing the planned residential estate of Whitlam. Light rail will be a critical part of Molonglo’s infrastructure mix if it is to avoid many of the road congestion problems that have plagued Gungahlin.
The PTCBR are holding a public meeting on 8 Aug 2018 with TCCS presenting on Network 19, Light Rail Stage One and Two. It is a good opportunity for PTCBR Members and the public to ask questions about major public transport issues in Canberra.
The PTCBR are pleased that the ACT Government has provided an estimated cost for stage two of Canberra’s light rail network. The cost incorporates design changes likely to be necessary for federal government approval, including a new light rail crossing structure between Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, and wire free light rail operation through the Parliamentary Zone. “The indicative cost of between $1.3 and 1.6 billion dollars is not a figure that the Canberra public should be shocked by. It’s a major infrastructure project that a city of our size requires, and can afford.”
The federal government is holding an inquiry into the ACT Governments light rail stage two project, from Civic to Woden via the Parliamentary Triangle.
The PTCBR have made a submission encouraging the Committee to recommend that the project proceed, and supporting the strong working relationship between the National Capital Authority and the ACT Government.